Immunotherapy: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2471-9552
ISSN: 2471-9552
Francesca Bellora
Italy
Review Article
Overview of the Soluble and Membrane-bound Tumor Factors Limiting NK-mediated Immune Surveillance
Author(s): Cristina Bottino, Mariella Della Chiesa, Alessandra Dondero, Francesca Bellora, Beatrice Casu, Alessandro Moretta and Roberta CastriconiCristina Bottino, Mariella Della Chiesa, Alessandra Dondero, Francesca Bellora, Beatrice Casu, Alessandro Moretta and Roberta Castriconi
Many evidences suggest that NK cells are effective in patrolling for and eliminating tumors in their onset phase, but hardly limit the progression of large established solid tumors. Beside the transition of tumor cells towards a more aggressive phenotype, the NK cell efficacy might be limited by a complex immunosuppressive milieu present in the tumor microenvironment. Indeed, different mechanisms damping NK cell function have been shown in these last years. These include a plethora of tumor-derived immunomodulatory soluble factors (TGF-β, MIF, adenosine, L-Kynurenin, PGE2) as well as soluble ligands (MICA, ULBP-2, PVR, B7-H6) that compete with membrane-bound tumor ligands for binding to activating NK receptors. During NK-tumor cell contact the NK cell function can also be inhibited by the engagement on NK cells of different inhibitory receptors. The specific ligands might be eith.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2471-9552.1000136