Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
08:17
Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
Published on: October 30, 2016
Motivational syndromes associated with natural killer cell activity
J B Jemmott1, C Hellman, D C McClelland
1Department of Psychology, Princeton University, New Jersey 05844-1010.
Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Stressed power motivation is linked to lower natural killer cell activity (NKCA), while unstressed affiliation motivation is associated with higher NKCA, according to three studies.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Motivation syndromes, specifically power and affiliation, are explored in relation to immune function.
- Natural killer cell activity (NKCA) is a key component of the innate immune system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between stressed power motivation and NKCA.
- To examine the association between unstressed affiliation motivation and NKCA.
Main Methods:
- Three studies were conducted involving college students, middle-class men, and Health Maintenance Organization patients.
- Natural killer cell activity (NKCA) was measured in relation to motivation syndromes.
- Meta-analyses were performed on the combined data.
Main Results:
- Individuals high in stressed power motivation exhibited significantly lower NKCA.
- Individuals high in unstressed affiliation motivation demonstrated significantly higher NKCA.
- Findings were consistent across different populations, though less significant in the patient group.
Conclusions:
- The stressed power motivation syndrome is reliably associated with reduced NKCA.
- The unstressed affiliation motivation syndrome is reliably associated with enhanced NKCA.
- These findings highlight the impact of distinct motivational states on immune function.
Related Concept Videos
02:26NF-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...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
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...
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
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...