The Reciprocal Interactions between Natural Killer Cells and Dendritic Cells

De-Kuang Zhao¹, Qing-Qing Wang¹, Xue-Tao Cao^1,2*
(¹Institute of Immunology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, China; ²Institute of Immunology,
Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China)

Abstract The functional links between natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) have been extensively investigated in recent years. By secreting cytokines and through cell-to-cell contact manner, NK cells and DCs can interact with each other in inflamed tissues and second lymphoid organs, which process is involved in anti-tumor, anti-viral effects and transplantation rejection. Here we reviewed the process they interact and the biological functions they exhibit in innate and adaptive immune responses.

Key words nature killer cells; dendritic cells; reciprocal interactions; anti-tumor effects; anti-viral effects

Received: November 10, 2005 Accepted: February 24, 2006
This work was supported by the Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese, Hongkong and Macao Young Scholars (No.30328011)
*Corresponding author. Tel: 86-571-87217151, E-mail: caoxt@public3.sta.net.cn.