Extracellular Matrix Proteins Regulate NK Cell Function in Peripheral Tissues

ECM proteins, collagen I, collagen III, and elastin, blocked natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and promoted their chemokine/cytokine production. NK cell cytotoxicity against major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)–deficient melanoma in the skin was markedly increased by blocking tumor collagen deposition.