Natural killer cells and autoimmunity

Arthritis Res Ther. 2004;6(1):8-14. doi: 10.1186/ar1034. Epub 2003 Dec 9.

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases are often characterized as clinical syndromes caused by the inappropriate activation of T or B cells resulting in systemic or organ-specific damage. However, studies support a role for the innate immune system, and in particular natural killer (NK) cells, in stimulating or suppressing autoimmunity. This review focuses on recent research elucidating a potential immunoregulatory role for NK cells in modulating T and B cell-mediated autoimmunity.