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  • Perspective
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Mistaken notions about natural killer cells

Nature Immunology volume 9, pages 481–485 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

As natural killer (NK) cells were first described more than 30 years ago—a lifetime in recent immunological history—this is a good time to reflect on their transition from outcasts of mainstream immunology to prominent players in innate immunity. Whereas much of our existing knowledge about NK cells is taken as longstanding fact, it may be surprising to immunologists of a younger vintage, particularly those working on NK cells today, that some of this knowledge was, at least initially, unexpected. In this Perspective, I take an unconventional approach to discussing our progress in understanding NK cells.

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Acknowledgements

I thank past and present members of my laboratory and the many investigators in the NK cell field whose contributions have enriched and enlightened the field. Unfortunately, many could not be mentioned because of space constraints. Thanks also to M. Cooper, A. French, H. Jonsson and J. Sunwoo for critical review of this manuscript and to L. Carayannopoulos, J. Heusel, K. Iizuka, S. Kim, B. Plougastel and E. Unanue for suggestions. Supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the US National Institutes of Health.

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  1. Rheumatology Division, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, 63110, Missouri, USA

    Wayne M Yokoyama

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Correspondence to Wayne M Yokoyama.

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Yokoyama, W. Mistaken notions about natural killer cells. Nat Immunol 9, 481–485 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni1583

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