[Research progress of natural killer (NK) cells and the development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)].

Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in clearing viruses and performing immunomodulation, and they possess innate immunomodulatory functions and acquired immune responses through secreting chemokines and acting in synergy with other natural immune cells. With in-depth studies of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, NK cells have been identified as playing an important role. SARS-CoV-2 infection affects the distribution and effector function of NK cells, and the immune response of NK cells may influence the prognosis of patients with COVID-19. This review summarizes the latest research on the role of NK cells in COVID-19 infection, and discusses their potential as therapeutic agents, aiming to provide insights into the prevention of immune damage caused by SARS-CoV-2.