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

Elena Masselli; Mauro Vaccarezza; Cecilia Carubbi; Giulia Pozzi; Valentina Presta; Prisco Mirandola; Marco Vitale

doi:10.1016/j.jbior.2020.100737

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

Adv Biol Regul. 2020 Aug:77:100737. doi: 10.1016/j.jbior.2020.100737. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Authors

Elena Masselli¹, Mauro Vaccarezza², Cecilia Carubbi³, Giulia Pozzi³, Valentina Presta³, Prisco Mirandola⁴, Marco Vitale⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine and Surgery, Anatomy Unit, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy; University Hospital of Parma, AOU-PR, Via Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy.
² School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia.
³ Department of Medicine and Surgery, Anatomy Unit, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy.
⁴ Department of Medicine and Surgery, Anatomy Unit, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Department of Medicine and Surgery, Anatomy Unit, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy; University Hospital of Parma, AOU-PR, Via Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].

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).

Keywords: COVID-19; Lung inflammation; NK cells; Viral infection.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Acute Disease
Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity*
COVID-19
Coronavirus Infections / complications
Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
Coronavirus Infections / immunology
Gene Expression Regulation
Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology*
Immunity, Innate
Interferon-gamma / genetics
Interferon-gamma / immunology
Interleukins / genetics
Interleukins / immunology
Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
Killer Cells, Natural / virology
Lung / immunology
Lung / pathology
Lung / virology
Lymphocyte Activation
Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1 / genetics
Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1 / immunology
NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C / genetics
NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C / immunology
Pandemics*
Pneumonia, Viral / complications
Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
Pneumonia, Viral / immunology
Respiratory Insufficiency / complications
Respiratory Insufficiency / diagnosis
Respiratory Insufficiency / epidemiology*
Respiratory Insufficiency / immunology
SARS-CoV-2
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

Interleukins
KLRC1 protein, human
Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1
NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Interferon-gamma