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Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology
Volume 2011 (2011), Article ID 861920, 16 pages
doi:10.1155/2011/861920
Role of Common-Gamma Chain Cytokines in NK Cell Development and Function: Perspectives for Immunotherapy
1Immunology Unit, Department of Translational Oncology, National Institute for Cancer Research, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
2UMR 1014 INSERM, Building. Lavoisier, Paul Brousse Hospital, 94800, Villejuif, France
3University Paris-Sud Paris XI, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France
4Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Translational Oncology, National Institute for Cancer Research, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Received 28 January 2011; Accepted 14 March 2011
Academic Editor: Roberto Biassoni
Copyright © 2011 Raffaella Meazza et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
NK cells are components of the innate immunity system and play an important role as a first-line defense mechanism against viral infections and in tumor immune surveillance. Their development and their functional activities are controlled by several factors among which cytokines sharing the usage of the common cytokine-receptor gamma chain play a pivotal role. In particular, IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 are the members of this family predominantly involved in NK cell biology. In this paper, we will address their role in NK cell ontogeny, regulation of functional activities, development of specialized cell subsets, and acquisition of memory-like functions. Finally, the potential application of these cytokines as recombinant molecules to NK cell-based immunotherapy approaches will be discussed.