Viral evasion of natural killer cells

Nat Immunol. 2002 Nov;3(11):1006-12. doi: 10.1038/ni1102-1006.

Abstract

Viruses have evolved mechanisms to avoid the host immune system, including means of escaping detection by both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Natural killer (NK) cells are a central component of the innate immune system and are crucial in defense against certain viruses. To attain a state of chronic infection, some successful viruses have developed specific mechanisms to evade detection by and activation of NK cells. These NK cell-specific evasion mechanisms fall into distinct mechanistic categories used in numerous virus families.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Chemokines / physiology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Genes, MHC Class I
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / virology
  • Mice
  • Models, Immunological
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / physiology
  • Virus Diseases / immunology
  • Viruses / genetics
  • Viruses / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Chemokines
  • Cytokines
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Receptors, Immunologic