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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...
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...
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...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune 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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 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

Natural killer cells: walking three paths down memory lane.

Gundula Min-Oo1, Yosuke Kamimura, Deborah W Hendricks

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Cancer Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.

Trends in Immunology
|March 19, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Natural killer (NK) cells, once thought to be short-lived innate immune cells, now show potential for long-term immunological memory. This review explores emerging evidence and debates surrounding NK cell memory.

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Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
08:17

Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions

Published on: October 30, 2016

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Last Updated: May 13, 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

Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
08:17

Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions

Published on: October 30, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Immunological memory is traditionally attributed to T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system.
  • Innate immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells, were considered short-lived and antigen-independent responders.
  • Recent findings challenge this paradigm, suggesting NK cells can develop long-term, antigen-specific memory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize recent studies on natural killer (NK) cell memory.
  • To address the similarities and controversies surrounding different proposed models of NK memory.
  • To discuss the implications of NK cell memory for innate and adaptive immunity.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing research.
  • Analysis of studies investigating NK cell survival and function post-antigen exposure.
  • Comparison of different NK memory models, including MCMV-induced, cytokine-induced, and liver-restricted memory.

Main Results:

  • NK cells can survive long-term after antigen exposure.
  • NK cells can mediate antigen-specific recall responses, mimicking adaptive memory.
  • Three main viewpoints on NK memory are discussed: MCMV-induced, cytokine-induced, and liver-restricted.

Conclusions:

  • NK cells exhibit characteristics previously associated only with adaptive immunity.
  • The concept of NK cell memory is an evolving field with ongoing debate.
  • Understanding NK memory may offer new therapeutic strategies in immunology.