Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
06:55
Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells
Published on: February 22, 2020
Adaptive immune responses mediated by natural killer cells
Silke Paust1, Balimkiz Senman, Ulrich H von Andrian
1Department of Pathology and Immune Disease Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Immunological Reviews
|June 12, 2010
Summary
Natural killer (NK) cells demonstrate adaptive immunity features, including long-lived memory and antigen specificity. These cells utilize novel, recombination-activating gene (RAG)-independent pathways for immune memory.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Vertebrate Physiology
Background:
- Adaptive immunity, characterized by memory and specificity, was traditionally linked to T and B lymphocytes.
- These lymphocytes uniquely express recombination-activating gene (RAG) proteins for antigen receptor generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence suggesting natural killer (NK) cells exhibit adaptive immunity characteristics.
- To explore potential RAG-independent mechanisms for antigen specificity and memory in NK cells.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on murine NK cell responses.
- Analysis of NK cell memory and antigen specificity mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Certain murine NK cell subsets display long-lived, antigen-specific recall responses.
- NK cells can develop memory following viral infections.
- Evidence suggests RAG-independent mechanisms for generating antigen specificity in NK cells.
Conclusions:
- NK cells may possess capabilities traditionally ascribed to adaptive immunity.
- Further research is needed to elucidate RAG-independent pathways for antigenic diversity and memory in NK cells.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cytotoxic 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...
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...
01:29Immune 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...
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...
01:28Cells 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...
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...
01:25Immune 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...
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
01:26Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.