Role of NK cell receptors in allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia
2023
Abstract
NK cells play an important role in allogeneic stem cell transplantation; not only as effector cells in the eradication of remaining cancer cells but also as potential inducers of graft versus host disease. Hence, it is important to understand their regulation and how the patient's immune system affects donor NK cells.
NK cell inhibition or activation is directed by many receptors which interact with a broad spectrum of ligands. Inhibition ligands signal that the target cell is healthy, and activating ligands reflect that the cell is damaged.
The most investigated receptors are KIR together with the NKG2D receptor with its ligands MICA and MICB. This work describes their role in stem cell transplantation.