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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Generation of Natural Killer Cells from Human Expanded Potential Stem Cells
Published on: January 13, 2023
Human natural killer cells
1The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute, 300 West 10th St, Rm 517, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. michael.caligiuri@osumc.edu
Abstract:
Natural killer (NK) cells were discovered more than 30 years ago. NK cells are large granular lymphocytes that belong to the innate immune system because unlike T or B lymphocytes of the adaptive or antigen-specific immune system, NK cells do not rearrange T-cell receptor or immunoglobulin genes from their germline configuration. During the past 2 decades there has been a substantial gain in our understanding of what and how NK-cells "see," lending important insights into their functions and purpose in normal immune surveillance. The most recent discoveries in NK-cell receptor biology have fueled translational research that has led to remarkable results in treating human malignancy.
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