Alterations of oncogenes expression in human NK cells in cancer patients

Abstract

C-kit/SCF signaling play a key role in regulating NK cell homeostasis, maturation, proliferation and cytotoxicity. C-kit-deficiency in NK results in significant reduction of their, suggesting imperative role fore-kit signaling in NKcell immunobiology. We have recently showed that human NK cells express not only c-kit-receptor, but also both membrane-bound and soluble forms of c-kit ligand - Stem cell factor. The goal of this study was to characterize the c-kit/SCF autocrine loop in peripheral blood NK cells obtained from patients with cancer.