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Related Concept Videos

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
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...
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

A Flow Cytometry-Based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Human NK Cell Activity
06:08

A Flow Cytometry-Based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Human NK Cell Activity

Published on: August 9, 2017

Natural killer cell cytotoxicity: how do they pull the trigger?

Nicola J Topham1, Eric W Hewitt

  • 1Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Immunology
|August 20, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Natural killer (NK) cells kill aberrant cells using cytotoxic molecules released from secretory lysosomes. This process, crucial for immune function, involves specialized exocytosis at the immunological synapse.

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Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

A Flow Cytometry-Based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Human NK Cell Activity
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A Flow Cytometry-Based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Human NK Cell Activity

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial immune cells that eliminate aberrant cells, including virally infected and cancerous cells.
  • Cytotoxic molecules essential for NK cell killing are stored in specialized secretory lysosomes.
  • NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity relies on the targeted release of these molecules via exocytosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent research on the molecular mechanisms governing NK cell secretory lysosome exocytosis.
  • To discuss the immunological consequences of defects in the exocytic machinery of NK cells.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes findings from recent studies.
  • Focuses on molecular and immunological investigations of NK cell function.

Main Results:

  • NK cell killing is mediated by the polarized exocytosis of cytotoxic molecules from secretory lysosomes at the lytic synapse.
  • Mutations in exocytic machinery components lead to immune disorders, underscoring the importance of this process.

Conclusions:

  • Secretory lysosome exocytosis is fundamental to NK cell cytotoxic function.
  • Understanding the molecular basis of this process is vital for addressing related immune disorders.