Cell Death Mechanisms Induced by Cytotoxic Lymphocytes

• 作 者: Ch(a)vez-Gal(a)n L Arenas-Del Angel MC Zenteno E Ch(a)vez R Lascurain R
• 机 构: Departamento de Bioqufmica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias “Ismael Cosio Villegas”
• 出 处: 中国免疫学杂志(英文版)
• 发表日期: 2009年1期
• 关键词: apoptosis cytotoxic cell granule-dependent exocytosis FasL TNF

One of the functions of the immune system is to recognize and destroy abnormal or infected cells to maintain homeostasis. This is accomplished by cytotoxic lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity is a highly organized multifactor process. Here, we reviewed the apoptosis pathways induced by the two main cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets, natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+T cells. In base to recent experimental evidence, we reviewed NK receptors involved in recognition of target-cell, as well as lytic molecules such as perforin, granzymes-A and -B, and granulysin. In addition, we reviewed the Fas-FasL intercellular linkage mediated pathway, and briefly the cross-linking of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and TNF receptor pathway. We discussed three models of possible molecular interaction between lyric molecules from effector cytotoxic cells and target-cell membrane to induction of apoptosis.