Natural killer (NK) cells are a type of lymphocyte that have a defensive function in the body. Upon detecting cells infected by viruses or cancer cells, NK cells attack these cells and eliminate them.
In order to differentiate healthy cells from those they have to eliminate, NK cells have a recognition system through their activation and inhibition receptors (KIR):
- Healthy cell
- the KIR receptor binds to a class I molecule of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) that is present on all healthy cells in the body. Thus, NK cells recognize them and do not attack them.
- Infected cell
- the KIR receptor does not bind to MHC-I and therefore attacks these cells to destroy them
Read the full article on: Abortion caused by Natural Killer cell attack on the embryo ( 58).
By Marta Barranquero Gómez B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist), Miguel Dolz Arroyo M.D., Ph.D. (gynecologist) and Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist).
Last Update: 05/06/2022
