Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
08:17
Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
Published on: October 30, 2016
Investigation of NK cell function and their modulation in different malignancies
Gordana Konjevic1, Vladimir Jurisic, Viktor Jovic
1Laboratory for Experimental Immunology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. konjevicg@ncrc.ac.rs
Immunologic Research
|March 24, 2012
Summary
Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial in tumor immunology and immunotherapy. This study details NK cell function, receptor expression, and modulation by cytokines in various cancers, providing insights for immuno-monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cells are integral to innate immunity, playing roles in tumor immunology, infectious diseases, transplantation, autoimmunity, and hypersensitivity.
- NK cell activity is influenced by the microenvironment, exhibiting clinical stage-dependent impairment in various malignancies.
- Previous research investigated perforin expression and modulation, alongside the in vitro effects of sera and Th1 cytokines on NK cell activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate NK cell function, receptor expression, and modulation by cytokines in cancer patients and healthy individuals.
- To establish referent values for NK cell receptor expression for disease evaluation and immuno-monitoring during cytokine therapy.
- To explore the impact of immunotherapy cytokines (IFN and IL-2) on NK cell activity and signaling in malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of NK cell activity using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme release assay.
- Long-term immuno-monitoring of NK cell modulation during chemo-immunotherapy.
- Analysis of NK cell receptor expression (activating and inhibitory) and signaling molecules in different NK cell subsets.
Main Results:
- Clinical stage-dependent impairment of NK cell activity was observed in cancer patients.
- Referent values for basic and cytokine-induced NK cell receptor expression were determined in healthy individuals.
- Modulation of NK cell activity by IFN and IL-2 was characterized by alterations in activating (NKG2D, CD161) and inhibitory (CD158a, CD158b) receptor expression and signaling.
Conclusions:
- NK cell function and receptor expression are significantly altered in malignancies and modulated by immunotherapy.
- NK cell profiling and understanding receptor balance are crucial for effective immuno-monitoring and therapeutic strategies.
- Cytokine-based immunotherapy impacts NK cell subsets, influencing their cytotoxic potential through receptor-mediated signaling.
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...
01:28Cells 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...