About this Research Topic
NK cells play a critical role in viral clearance and anti-tumor immunity. Previously recognized as a part of the innate immune defense, several reports have identified memory features in NK cells in response to viral infections, cytokines and even haptens. Immunological memory phenotype of NK cells involves vigorous proliferation and/or IFNγ production after re-encounter with the same stimuli against which memory-like NK cells were initially generated. Memory-like NK cells seem to be more effective in clearing viral infections, such as mouse cytomegalovirus, Zika virus infection and HIV, than their naïve counterparts. Molecular understanding of NK memory has a potential to improve design of viral vaccines.
NK cells that are pre-activated by a selected combination of cytokines (IL12, IL15, IL18) show memory-like features, as evidenced by vigorous proliferation and persistence and display accelerated tumor clearance. Mechanistic understanding of such cytokine-induced memory-like NK cells will uncover molecules that enhance NK cell immunotherapy outcome.
Tissue-resident NK cells have been elegantly demonstrated across various human tissues but their local role in regulating tissue-specific viral infections remains largely unknown. Elucidating novel means to boost tissue-resident NK cells can improve NK cell function to treat viral infections. This could involve inhibiting checkpoint molecules, the use of NK cell engagers, or specific cytokines such as IL15. Overall, the goal of this research topic is to garner research that advances our knowledge of NK memory, immunotherapeutic approaches, and tissue-resident NK response after viral infection. We also welcome submissions that explore NK cell response to SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses.
We invite submissions of Original Research, Review, Perspective and Clinical Trials articles in this issue. We will seek the contributions that fall in one of the specific themes as outlined below:
• NK cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches to treat viral infections
• Tissue-resident NK cells in viral infections
• Memory-like NK cell responses in viral infections (Cytomegalovirus infection, Zika virus infection, influenza infection and others)
• Molecular mechanisms underlying memory-like NK cell responses after viral infections
• Cytokine induced memory-like NK cells
• NK cell response to SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses
Topic Editor Pranay Dogra is affiliated with Genentech as a Senior Scientist. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests.
NK cells that are pre-activated by a selected combination of cytokines (IL12, IL15, IL18) show memory-like features, as evidenced by vigorous proliferation and persistence and display accelerated tumor clearance. Mechanistic understanding of such cytokine-induced memory-like NK cells will uncover molecules that enhance NK cell immunotherapy outcome.
Tissue-resident NK cells have been elegantly demonstrated across various human tissues but their local role in regulating tissue-specific viral infections remains largely unknown. Elucidating novel means to boost tissue-resident NK cells can improve NK cell function to treat viral infections. This could involve inhibiting checkpoint molecules, the use of NK cell engagers, or specific cytokines such as IL15. Overall, the goal of this research topic is to garner research that advances our knowledge of NK memory, immunotherapeutic approaches, and tissue-resident NK response after viral infection. We also welcome submissions that explore NK cell response to SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses.
We invite submissions of Original Research, Review, Perspective and Clinical Trials articles in this issue. We will seek the contributions that fall in one of the specific themes as outlined below:
• NK cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches to treat viral infections
• Tissue-resident NK cells in viral infections
• Memory-like NK cell responses in viral infections (Cytomegalovirus infection, Zika virus infection, influenza infection and others)
• Molecular mechanisms underlying memory-like NK cell responses after viral infections
• Cytokine induced memory-like NK cells
• NK cell response to SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses
Topic Editor Pranay Dogra is affiliated with Genentech as a Senior Scientist. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests.
Keywords: NK cells, viral, immunotherapy
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
