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Transcriptional Control of NK Cell Differentiation and Function

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Transcriptional Control of Lineage Differentiation in Immune Cells

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 381))

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial to mounting an effective immune response. They have a significant role in cancer immunosurveillance and function as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. However, until recently, surprisingly little was known about the molecular basis of NK cell development as compared to the impressive body of knowledge on B- and T-cell development. Here we outline the key transcription factors known to influence NK cell development and at what stages they function. The recent progress in understanding allows us to speculate on the nature of the network of interactions between transcription factors that ultimately facilitate the production of mature functional NK cells.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    Victoria Male & Hugh J. M. Brady

Authors
  1. Victoria Male
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  2. Hugh J. M. Brady
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Correspondence to Hugh J. M. Brady .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical University of Vienna, Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center of Pathophysiology,Infectiology and Immunology, Vienna, Wien, Austria

    Wilfried Ellmeier

  2. RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, IMS,, Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation,, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

    Ichiro Taniuchi

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© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Male, V., Brady, H.J.M. (2014). Transcriptional Control of NK Cell Differentiation and Function. In: Ellmeier, W., Taniuchi, I. (eds) Transcriptional Control of Lineage Differentiation in Immune Cells. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 381. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/82_2014_376

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