Células nk en enfermedades ampollares autoinmunes

The NK cells provide defense to the organism againts microorganisms and tumor cells activating a cytolytic machinery. Recent studies have demonstrated the role of NK cells in autoimmune diseases. Objective: To determine NK cell levels in peripheral blood of patients with active autoimmune blistering diseases who came to Dermatology Service of Caracas University Hospital and healthy controls. Methodology: Observational, prospective cohort study. The sample was 18 patients. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results: There were no differences between patients NK levels and controls. When comparing patients without corticosteroids they had higher NK levels in relation to the controls and decrease of the levels when they being treated with corticosteroids. Higher levels of NK dim were determined in untreated patients and their levels decreased with the use of corticosteroids. There were no differences in CD3 + levels. NKT levels were higher in patients. Conclusions: NK cells and NK dim subtype are incremented in patients with autoimmune blistering diseases that are not treated with systemic corticosteroids and the use of these drugs modifies their levels in peripheral blood.