View Point: Semaphorin-3E: An Emerging Modulator of Natural Killer Cell Functions?

Abstract

Semaphorin-3E (Sema-3E) is a member of a large family of proteins originally identified as axon guidance cues in neural development. It is expressed in different cell types, such as immune cells, cancer cells, neural cells, and epithelial cells. Subsequently, dys-regulation of Sema-3E expression has been reported in various biological processes that range from cancers to autoimmune and allergic diseases. Recent work in our laboratories revealed a critical immunoregulatory role of Sema-3E in experimental allergic asthma. We further speculate possible immune modulatory function(s) of Sema-3E on natural killer (NK) cells.

Keywords

• semaphorins
• semaphorin-3E
• plexins
• nervous system
• cardiovascular
• allergic asthma
• cancer
• natural killer cells