The interest of this topic arises from the huge amount of data regarding both inhibitory and activating NK receptors and their ligands gathered in the last 15 years and the use of this information for clinical purposes. Nowadays, it is clear that NK cell receptors evolved in a highly dynamic fashion, primarily driven by the necessity to deal with a large variety of pathogens and to recognize properties of cells characteristic of tumor transformation.

Thus, the aim and scope of this special issue will be to analyze the expression and function of both inhibitory and activating NK receptors and their ligands and the mechanisms involved in the molecular regulation of innate immunity and in the NK-mediated regulation of adaptive cellular responses. A particular emphasis will be dedicated to NK cells and diseases. Potential topics include but are not limited to:

• NK receptors/ligands expression and their regulation in NK cells and their precursors
• Structural/functional analysis of NK receptor/ligand interactions
• Regulation of DC maturation
• Regulation of adaptive immune responses
• NK cell responses to cancer/pathogens
• KIR/HLA interactions and pathogens immunity
• Role of pathogen-produced proteins
• Role of lymphokines
• Role of miRNAs
• Animal models to study NK cells and diseases

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jbb/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: