Regulation of hematopoiesis by T lymphocytes and natural killer cells

Abstract

T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells exert both stimulatory and suppressive effects that regulate growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Activated T and NK cells have been demonstrated in different pathological states of bone marrow failure and are proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. T and NK cells have also been shown to be responsible for bone marrow graft rejection in both allogeneic and syngeneic donor/recipient combinations. Lymphocytes can regulate hematopoietic cell growth by direct cellular contact or by releasing soluble factors, such as colony-stimulating factors, immune interferon, lymphotoxin, and tumor necrosis factor, active on hematopoietic precursor cells.