Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
06:55
Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells
Published on: February 22, 2020
Natural killer cell distribution and trafficking in human tissues
Paolo Carrega1, Guido Ferlazzo
1Istituto Giannina Gaslini Genova, Italy.
Frontiers in Immunology
|December 12, 2012
Summary
Natural killer (NK) cells circulate throughout the human body, populating organs like the blood, lungs, and liver. Understanding NK cell tissue homing is crucial for their role in immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Limited data exist on natural killer (NK) cell recirculation in human organs.
- Previous studies faced challenges with non-specific or subset-specific NK cell markers (e.g., CD57, CD56, CD16).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on NK cell distribution in human peripheral tissues.
- To propose insights into NK cell recirculation based on recent findings.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on NK cell distribution.
- Analysis of data on NK cell markers and tissue-specific homing patterns.
Main Results:
- Human NK cells are found in blood, lymphoid organs, lung, liver, uterus, and gut.
- NK cell homing is subset-specific, with CD56(bright)CD16(neg/dull) NK cells favoring secondary lymphoid organs and solid tissues.
- Mouse models show distinct NK cell populations in lymph nodes, bone marrow, blood, spleen, and lung.
Conclusions:
- NK cell distribution varies across human organs and is subset-specific.
- Further research is needed on factors regulating NK cell tissue homing and egress, including chemotactic receptors and homeostatic mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:28Cells 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...
01:27Cytotoxic 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...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:21Structure and Function of Leukocytes
An adult in good health typically has between 4,500 and 11,000 leukocytes, or white blood cells, per microliter of blood, which constitutes about 1% of the total blood volume. Unlike red blood cells, white blood cells contain a nucleus and other cellular organelles but do not have hemoglobin. Most white blood cells reside in connective tissues, particularly in lymphatic organs such as the lymph nodes, with only a small fraction present in circulating blood.
White blood cells protect the body...
White blood cells protect the body...