Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access

The role of natural killer cells in liver injury

4^th International Conference and Exhibition on Immunology

September 28-30, 2015 Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks, Houston, TX, USA

Jasmin Nurkovic1,2, Dzana Dervovic3,4, Amra Ramovic5, Sefcet Hajrovic6, Selmina Nurkovic7, Ilma Kurtagic7, Jasmin Hamzagic2 and Zana Dolicanin1,6

1State University of Novi Pazar, Serbia 2University of Kragujevac, Serbia 3University Health Network, Canada 4University of Toronto, Canada 5International Burch University, Bosnia and Herzegovina 6General Hospital Novi Pazar, Serbia 7University

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Cell Immunol

Abstract :

Human hepatic lymphocytes are enriched in natural killer (NK) cells, which are defined as CD56+ CD3-and can be further subdivided into two distinct subpopulations CD56bright and CD56dim based on the relative expression of the surface marker CD56. While CD56bright are poorly cytotoxic but produce a broad range of cytokines (IFN-�³, TNF-�±, GM-CSF, IL10), CD56dim NK cells are highly cytotoxic. Thus, NK cells have dual function: effector, against pathogens and tumors through their natural cytotoxicity and cytokine production; and regulatory, which is dictated by cross talk between NK cells and other types of immune cells in liver resulting in the production of variety of cytokines. As such, interaction between NK cells and activated Kupffer cells (KCs), dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer T cell (NKT) cells results in the production of IFN-�±/�², IFN-�³, IL-2, IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18. This cytokine-mediated NK cell activation contributes to hepatocellular damage during viral hepatitis. Conversely, several cytokines have been shown to inhibit the functions of hepatic NK cells. Accumulation of NK cells within the liver results in higher levels of cytotoxicity and cytokine production, but it can also enhance hepatocellular damage. In contrast, chronic liver diseases are associated with a decreased number of NK cells and impairments in NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production. Hence, understanding the multifaceted role of NK cells in pathogenesis of liver diseases, reviewed in here, may help us design better therapies to treat patients and translate these findings into clinical practice.

Biography :

Email: jnurkovic@gmail.com