Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Two Flow Cytometric Approaches of NKG2D Ligand Surface Detection to Distinguish Stem Cells from Bulk Subpopulations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
05:24

Two Flow Cytometric Approaches of NKG2D Ligand Surface Detection to Distinguish Stem Cells from Bulk Subpopulations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Published on: February 21, 2021

Regulation of NK cell activity by 2B4, NTB-A and CRACC

Maren Claus1, Stephan Meinke, Rauf Bhat

  • 1Institute for Immunology, University Heidelberg, INF 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library
|November 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

SLAM-related receptors, including 2B4, NTB-A, and CRACC, regulate Natural Killer (NK) cell function. This review covers their signaling and analyzes controversial data on 2B4 in mice and humans.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • The SLAM-related receptor (SRR) family, including 2B4, NTB-A, and CRACC, plays a crucial role in immune cell interactions.
  • Natural Killer (NK) cells are critical for innate immunity, and their function is tightly regulated by activating and inhibitory receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the function of 2B4, NTB-A, and CRACC in regulating NK cell activity.
  • To summarize the current understanding of signal transduction pathways for these receptors.
  • To critically evaluate conflicting data regarding 2B4's role in murine and human systems.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical analysis of existing research.
  • Synthesis of data on SRR family members and NK cell regulation.
  • Comparative analysis of 2B4 function across species.

Main Results:

  • SLAM-related receptors significantly influence NK cell activation and function.
  • Detailed understanding of the intracellular signaling mechanisms initiated by these receptors is emerging.
  • Discrepancies exist in the reported functions of 2B4 between mouse models and human studies.

Conclusions:

  • 2B4, NTB-A, and CRACC are key regulators of NK cell-mediated immunity.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex signaling and species-specific functions of 2B4.

More Related Videos

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice07:17

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice

Published on: June 22, 2016

Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells06:55

Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells

Published on: February 22, 2020

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR activation may...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...