Abstract
Viral infections characteristically induce a cytokine-driven activated natural killer (NK) cell response that precedes an antigen-driven T cell response. These NK cells can restrain some but not all viral infections by attacking virus-infected cells and can thereby provide time for an effective T cell response to mobilize. Recent studies have revealed an additional immunoregulatory role for the NK cells, where they inhibit the size and functionality of the T cell response, regardless of whether the viruses are themselves sensitive to NK cells. This subsequent change in T cell dynamics can alter patterns of immunopathology and persistence and implicates NK cells as rheostat-like regulators of persistent infections.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Acute Disease
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Animals
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Chronic Disease
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Herpesviridae Infections / immunology*
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Herpesviridae Infections / pathology
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Herpesviridae Infections / virology
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Humans
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Immunity, Humoral
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Immunity, Innate
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Immunomodulation
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
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Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
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Killer Cells, Natural / virology
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Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / immunology*
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Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / pathology
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Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / virology
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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / immunology*
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Mice
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Muromegalovirus / immunology*
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Receptors, Natural Killer Cell / genetics
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Receptors, Natural Killer Cell / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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T-Lymphocytes / pathology
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T-Lymphocytes / virology
Substances
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Receptors, Natural Killer Cell