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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
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...
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...

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Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells
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Published on: February 22, 2020

Receptor systems controlling natural killer cell function are genetically stratified in Europe.

K J Guinan1, R T Cunningham, A Meenagh

  • 1School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

Genes and Immunity
|August 21, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands show distinct spatial distributions across Europe, influencing natural killer (NK) cell immunity. This functional stratification impacts immune responses in different populations.

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qKAT: Quantitative Semi-automated Typing of Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genes
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qKAT: Quantitative Semi-automated Typing of Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genes

Published on: March 6, 2019

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qKAT: Quantitative Semi-automated Typing of Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genes
07:58

qKAT: Quantitative Semi-automated Typing of Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genes

Published on: March 6, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Human Genetics
  • Population Genetics

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for innate immunity, identifying and eliminating abnormal cells.
  • Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) regulate NK cell activity through interactions with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I ligands.
  • Genetic variations in KIR and HLA genes are prevalent across human populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize KIR and HLA gene frequencies in two Irish populations.
  • To investigate the spatial distribution of functionally significant KIR:HLA systems across Europe.
  • To understand the impact of KIR:HLA system variations on NK cell-mediated immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Genotyping of KIR and HLA genes in Irish populations.
  • Analysis of KIR:HLA system frequencies and spatial distribution in Europe.
  • Assessment of the balance between inhibitory and activatory KIR:HLA repertoires.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in KIR and HLA frequencies were observed between Northern and Southern European populations.
  • Southern Europe exhibits higher frequencies of activating KIR and strong inhibitory HLA ligands (2DL1:HLA-C2, 3DL1:Bw4).
  • Northern Europe shows lower frequencies of activating KIR and a predominance of weaker inhibitory ligands (2DL3:HLA-C1).

Conclusions:

  • A 'functional stratification' of the KIR:HLA system exists across Europe.
  • Despite regional differences, a balance between inhibitory and activatory KIR:HLA repertoires is maintained.
  • These findings highlight how KIR:HLA variations influence NK cell-mediated immunity in diverse populations.