NK cells: A double edge sword against SARS-CoV-2

Masselli, E.; Vaccarezza, Mauro; Carubbi, C.; Pozzi, G.; Presta, V.; Mirandola, P.; Vitale, M.

doi:10.1016/j.jbior.2020.100737

Access Status

Fulltext not available

Authors

Masselli, E.

Vaccarezza, Mauro

Carubbi, C.

Pozzi, G.

Presta, V.

Mirandola, P.

Vitale, M.

Date

2020

Type

Journal Article

Metadata

Show full item record

Citation

Masselli, E. and Vaccarezza, M. and Carubbi, C. and Pozzi, G. and Presta, V. and Mirandola, P. and Vitale, M. 2020. NK cells: A double edge sword against SARS-CoV-2. Advances in Biological Regulation. 77: Article No. 100737.

Source Title

Advances in Biological Regulation

DOI

10.1016/j.jbior.2020.100737

ISSN

2212-4926

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

School

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/80200

Collection

Curtin Research Publications

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells are pivotal effectors of the innate immunity protecting an individual from microbes. They are the first line of defense against invading viruses, given their substantial ability to directly target infected cells without the need for specific antigen presentation. By establishing cellular networks with a variety of cell types such as dendritic cells, NK cells can also amplify and modulate antiviral adaptive immune responses. In this review, we will examine the role of NK cells in SARS-COV2 infections causing the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, keeping in mind the controversial role of NK cells specifically in viral respiratory infections and in inflammatory-driven lung damage. We discuss lessons learnt from previous coronavirus outbreaks in humans (caused by SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-COV).