Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells
06:55

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

Published on: February 22, 2020

Protein Kinase C-θ (PKC-θ) in Natural Killer Cell Function and Anti-Tumor Immunity

Alberto Anel1, Juan I Aguiló, Elena Catalán

  • 1Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza Zaragoza, Spain.

Frontiers in Immunology
|July 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Protein kinase C-θ (PKCθ) is crucial for natural killer (NK) cell anti-tumor immunity. Its absence impairs NK cell surveillance, highlighting PKCθ

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Protein kinase C-θ (PKCθ) is vital for T cell function and survival.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells, expressing PKCθ, are key in anti-tumor immune surveillance, particularly against tumors with low MHC-I expression.
  • Activated NK cells are increasingly used in anti-tumor immunotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PKCθ in NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immune surveillance.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which PKCθ influences NK cell function and anti-tumor activity.
  • To summarize existing data on PKC isoforms in NK cell degranulation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte function.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of tumor development in PKCθ(-/-) mice versus wild-type mice.
  • Review of studies investigating PKCθ's role in NK cell signaling pathways (e.g., IL-12, IL-15).
  • Examination of PKCθ's involvement in NK cell activation via killer-activating receptors and degranulation.

Main Results:

  • PKCθ(-/-) mice exhibit enhanced development of MHC-I-deficient tumors compared to wild-type mice.
  • PKCθ is implicated in signal transduction and anti-tumoral activity of NK cells stimulated by IL-12 or IL-15.
  • PKCθ may play a role in NK cell functional activation through killer-activating receptors and degranulation.

Conclusions:

  • PKCθ is essential for effective NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immune surveillance.
  • Understanding PKCθ's mechanisms in NK cells can inform the development of novel immunotherapies.
  • Further research into PKC isoforms and degranulation is warranted for optimizing cancer treatments.
Keywords:
CTLNK cellsPKC-θanti-tumor immunity

More Related Videos

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies09:54

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies

Published on: May 22, 2020

Purification and Expansion of Mouse Invariant Natural Killer T Cells for in vitro and in vivo Studies08:37

Purification and Expansion of Mouse Invariant Natural Killer T Cells for in vitro and in vivo Studies

Published on: February 15, 2021

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...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...