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Natural killer cell activation in mice and men: different triggers for similar weapons?

Nature Immunology volume 3, pages 807–813 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The signaling pathways that regulate B and T lymphocytes are remarkably conserved between humans and mice. However, recent evidence suggests that the pathways regulating natural killer (NK) cell activation may actually differ between these two species. We discuss the controversies in the field and propose that this divergence could be deceptive: despite some clear differences between human and mouse NK cell receptors, the many ways of activating NK cells and their functions may well be conserved.

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Figure 1: Molecules that regulate NK cell activation.
Figure 2: Major biochemical pathways for NK cell activation.
Figure 3: Chromosomal localization of genes for NK receptors and ligands.

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Acknowledgements

We thank E. Colucci-Guyon, C. Vosshenrich, S. Zompi, A. Caraux and G. Litman for discussions, E. Schweighoffer, V. L. J. Tybulewicz, M. Turner, D. D. Billadeau and R. T. Abraham for collaborations; and C. E. Ford-Colucci for continuous support. Our apologies go to those authors whose work could not be cited due to space limitations.

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  1. Unit of Cytokines and Lymphoid Development, The Pasteur Institute, Paris, France

    Francesco Colucci & James P. Di Santo

  2. Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, 55905, MN, USA

    Paul J. Leibson

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  1. Francesco Colucci
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Correspondence to Francesco Colucci.

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Colucci, F., Di Santo, J. & Leibson, P. Natural killer cell activation in mice and men: different triggers for similar weapons?. Nat Immunol 3, 807–813 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni0902-807

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