Natural Killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immunity that play a crucial role in the control of viral infections in the absence of a prior antigen sensitization. Indeed, they display rapid effector functions against target cells with the capability of direct cell killing and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, NK cells are endowed with immune-modulatory functions innate and adaptive immune responses via the secretion of chemokines/cytokines and by undertaking synergic crosstalks with other innate immune cells, including monocyte/macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils. Recently, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread globally. Although the specific role of NK cells in COVID-19 pathophysiology still need to be explored, mounting evidence indicates that NK cell tissue distribution and effector functions could be affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection and that a prompt NK cell response could determine a good clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of how SARS-CoV-2 infection interferes with NK cell antiviral effectiveness and their crosstalk with other innate immune cells. We also provide a detailed characterization of the specific NK cell subsets in relation to COVID-19 patient severity generated from publicly available single cell RNA sequencing datasets. Finally, we summarize the possible NK cell-based therapeutic approaches against SARS-CoV-2 infection and the ongoing clinical trials updated at the time of submission of this review. We will also discuss how a deep understanding of NK cell responses could open new possibilities for the treatment and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Natural Killer Cells in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Implications / C. Di Vito, F. Calcaterra, N. Coianiz, S. Terzoli, A. Voza, J. Mikulak, S. Della Bella, D. Mavilio. - In: FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY. - ISSN 1664-3224. - 13:(2022), pp. 888248.1-888248.14. [10.3389/fimmu.2022.888248]

Natural Killer Cells in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Implications

C. Di Vito
Primo
;
F. Calcaterra
Secondo
;
J. Mikulak;S. Della Bella;D. Mavilio
Ultimo
2022

Abstract

Natural Killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immunity that play a crucial role in the control of viral infections in the absence of a prior antigen sensitization. Indeed, they display rapid effector functions against target cells with the capability of direct cell killing and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, NK cells are endowed with immune-modulatory functions innate and adaptive immune responses via the secretion of chemokines/cytokines and by undertaking synergic crosstalks with other innate immune cells, including monocyte/macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils. Recently, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread globally. Although the specific role of NK cells in COVID-19 pathophysiology still need to be explored, mounting evidence indicates that NK cell tissue distribution and effector functions could be affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection and that a prompt NK cell response could determine a good clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of how SARS-CoV-2 infection interferes with NK cell antiviral effectiveness and their crosstalk with other innate immune cells. We also provide a detailed characterization of the specific NK cell subsets in relation to COVID-19 patient severity generated from publicly available single cell RNA sequencing datasets. Finally, we summarize the possible NK cell-based therapeutic approaches against SARS-CoV-2 infection and the ongoing clinical trials updated at the time of submission of this review. We will also discuss how a deep understanding of NK cell responses could open new possibilities for the treatment and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
COVID-19; NK cells; SARS-CoV-2 infection; immunotherapy; memory-like; single cell sequencing; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Killer Cells, Natural; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19
Settore MED/46 - Scienze Tecniche di Medicina di Laboratorio
Settore MED/04 - Patologia Generale
Settore MED/17 - Malattie Infettive
2022
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/935052
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