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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

A Flow Cytometry-Based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Human NK Cell Activity
Published on: August 9, 2017
Natural killer cells in human health and disease
Jordan S Orange1, Zuhair K Ballas
1University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Allergy and Immunology, 3615 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Orange@mail.med.upenn.edu
Abstract:
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that are critical in host defense and immune regulation. They are activated or inhibited through the ligation of germline-encoded receptors and are involved in mediating cytotoxicity, in producing cytokines and in providing co-stimulation to cells of the adaptive immune system. NK cells play important roles in viral infections, autoimmunity, pregnancy, cancer and bone marrow transplantation. This review highlights recent developments in the understanding of the role of human NK cells in health and disease.
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