Tumor cell lysis via missing-self recognition by Natural Killer cells

The mechanism of "tumor cell lysis via missing-self recognition by Natural Killer cells" describes how NK cells identify and destroy cells—including tumor and virally infected cells—that have lost expression of self MHC class I molecules. NK cells are regulated by a balance of activating and inhibitory signals. Inhibitory receptors such as KIR (in humans) and Ly49 (in mice) recognize self MHC I and prevent inappropriate destruction of normal cells. When a cell loses MHC I expression—often as an immune evasion strategy by tumors—it is no longer protected by these inhibitory signals, leading to its recognition and lysis by NK cells. This process is essential for innate tumor surveillance and immune defense, but is a pathway rather than a single molecular target.

Other names

Missing-self recognition by NK cellsNK cell-mediated tumor cell lysis (via missing-self recognition mechanism)NK cell anti-tumor mechanism (missing-self)Null

Blockade of NK cell inhibitory receptors to enhance killing of tumor cells lacking MHC class I proteins; Cytokine-induced activation of NK cell cytotoxicity