NK Cells in Antiviral Defense

Natural killer (NK) cells demonstrate potent activity against a variety of viruses. The most important features of the antiviral response include NK cell activation, cytotoxic and cytokine-mediated effector functions, and interaction with other immune cells. The mechanisms utilized by NK cells to sense and respond to infection have been characterized in both humans and mice. In this article, we review our current understanding of how NK cells contribute to antiviral defenses.