Natural Killer Cells and Thyroid Diseases

Eun Kyung Lee; John B Sunwoo

doi:10.3803/EnM.2019.34.2.132

Natural Killer Cells and Thyroid Diseases

Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2019 Jun;34(2):132-137. doi: 10.3803/EnM.2019.34.2.132.

Authors

Eun Kyung Lee^{1

2}, John B Sunwoo³

Affiliations

¹ Center for Thyroid Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
² Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
³ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. sunwoo@stanford.edu.

Abstract

Abnormal production of thyroid hormone is one of the common endocrine disorders, and thyroid hormone production declines with age. The aging process also negatively affects the immune system. An interaction between endocrine system and the immune system has been proposed to be bidirectional. Emerging evidence suggests an interaction between a lymphocyte population, called natural killer (NK) cells and thyroid gland function. Here, we review the relationship between NK cells and thyroid function and disease.

Keywords: Anaplastic; Immunotherapy; Killer cells, natural; Programmed cell death 1; Thyroid cancer, papillary; Thyroiditis.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Review

MeSH terms

Autoimmune Diseases / complications
Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
Humans
Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
Neoplasms / complications
Neoplasms / immunology
Thyroid Diseases / complications
Thyroid Diseases / immunology*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding