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. 2021 Jun 11;22(2):112–123. doi: 10.1038/s41577-021-00558-3

Fig. 2. NK cell deficiencies and viral infections.

Fig. 2

Different genetic mutations have been linked to specific natural killer (NK) cell deficiencies. Affected genes encode either intranuclear proteins (GATA2, IRF8, RTEL1, GINS1, MCM4 and MCM10) or the surface-expressed Fc receptor for IgG CD16 (encoded by FCGR3A). Defects in the intranuclear proteins lead to disturbed NK cell development and/or differentiation. The mutation affecting CD16 causes altered NK cell functionality. A common denominator for NK cell deficiencies is an inappropriate response to viral infections, as evidenced by severe and/or recurrent herpesvirus infections (human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV)), as well as human papillomavirus virus (HPV) infection and respiratory infections.