The 'T-cell-ness' of NK cells: Unexpected similarities between NK cells and T cells

Abstract

NK cells are considered as prototypical innate immune cells. However, recent discoveries have tended to refine the dogmatic concepts of innate and adaptive immunity. In many ways, NK cells are highly related to T cells and represent the closest innate immune cell lineage to adaptive immune cell populations. Here, we review the relationships between NK cells and T cells and discuss the recently described cell-intrinsic-adaptive features of NK cells. © The Japanese Society for Immunology. 2011. All rights reserved.