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Related Concept Videos

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...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
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...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
Immunological Memory01:23

Immunological Memory

Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Natural Killer (NK) and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line
11:02

Natural Killer (NK) and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line

Published on: February 8, 2022

Natural killer cell memory.

Silke Paust1, Ulrich H von Andrian

  • 1Harvard Medical School, Department of Pathology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Nature Immunology
|July 9, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Natural killer (NK) cells, traditionally innate immune cells, show adaptive immunity features. Evidence suggests specific NK cell subsets develop long-lived, antigen-specific memory independently of RAG recombinase.

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Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Natural Killer (NK) and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line
11:02

Natural Killer (NK) and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line

Published on: February 8, 2022

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

Published on: February 22, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are granular lymphocytes crucial for innate immunity against infections and cancer.
  • NK cells traditionally lack RAG recombinase-dependent antigen receptors, defining them as innate immune cells.
  • Emerging evidence indicates certain NK cell subsets in mice exhibit antigen-specific memory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for RAG-independent adaptive immunity mediated by NK cells.
  • To compare proposed mechanisms of mammalian NK cell memory and antigen recognition.
  • To contextualize NK cell memory within lymphocyte evolution and RAG-independent pathways in other species.

Main Methods:

  • Review of published literature on NK cell function and immunology.
  • Comparative analysis of mammalian NK cell memory mechanisms.
  • Examination of RAG-independent antigen receptor diversity pathways in non-mammalian species.

Main Results:

  • Published data support the existence of NK cell-mediated, RAG-independent adaptive immunity.
  • Candidate mechanisms for NK cell memory and antigen recognition are proposed and contrasted.
  • NK cell memory is discussed in relation to broader lymphocyte evolution.

Conclusions:

  • NK cells possess capabilities that challenge traditional innate immune cell definitions.
  • Understanding NK cell memory mechanisms offers insights into adaptive immunity evolution.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the full spectrum of NK cell adaptive functions.