Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

7.2K
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...
7.2K
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

8.4K
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...
8.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Analysis of Food Insecurity in U.S. Colleges Using Current Assessment Tools-A Systematic Review.

Nutrients·2026
Same author

Dynamic Interfacial Design in Adaptive Hybrid Materials Enables Reversible and Tunable Mechano-Optic Smart Responses.

ACS nano·2026
Same author

High-Throughput Fluorescence Profiling of Remodeling Dynamics at Surface-Deposited Amyloid Interfaces.

Analytical chemistry·2026
Same author

Predicting unfavorable tuberculosis outcomes using machine learning: a prospective cohort.

Tropical medicine and health·2026
Same author

Extracellular vesicles in fatty liver promote a metastatic tumor microenvironment.

Cell metabolism·2026
Same author

The Plant Compound Sulforaphane Attenuates Induction of Cytokines and Other Early Activation Events in Jurkat Cells.

Journal of dietary supplements·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro
10:36

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro

Published on: January 9, 2018

6.8K

Natural killer cell development and maturation in aged mice.

Eleni Beli1, David M Duriancik2, Jonathan F Clinthorne2

  • 1Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1224, USA; Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1224, USA.

Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
|December 24, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Aging impairs natural killer (NK) cell maturation in bone marrow, leading to fewer mature NK cells in peripheral tissues. This reduction affects the immune system's ability to combat infections and cancer in older individuals.

Keywords:
AgingDevelopmentMaturationMouseNatural killer cells

More Related Videos

A Detailed Protocol for Characterizing the Murine C1498 Cell Line and its Associated Leukemia Mouse Model
08:00

A Detailed Protocol for Characterizing the Murine C1498 Cell Line and its Associated Leukemia Mouse Model

Published on: October 14, 2016

22.3K
Flow Cytometric Characterization of Murine B Cell Development
08:25

Flow Cytometric Characterization of Murine B Cell Development

Published on: January 22, 2021

17.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 4, 2026

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro
10:36

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro

Published on: January 9, 2018

6.8K
A Detailed Protocol for Characterizing the Murine C1498 Cell Line and its Associated Leukemia Mouse Model
08:00

A Detailed Protocol for Characterizing the Murine C1498 Cell Line and its Associated Leukemia Mouse Model

Published on: October 14, 2016

22.3K
Flow Cytometric Characterization of Murine B Cell Development
08:25

Flow Cytometric Characterization of Murine B Cell Development

Published on: January 22, 2021

17.7K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Aging research
  • Cellular biology

Background:

  • The impact of aging on natural killer (NK) cell homeostasis is not well understood in humans or animal models.
  • NK cells are crucial for innate immunity, identifying and eliminating stressed or infected cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate age-related defects in NK cell distribution and development.
  • To compare NK cells from young and aged mice to understand aging's effects on NK cell populations.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of NK cells from young and aged mice.
  • Flow cytometry to assess NK cell distribution, maturation markers (CD11b, CD27), and proliferation.
  • Apoptosis assays to rule out cell death as a primary cause for reduction.

Main Results:

  • Aged mice exhibit reduced NK cell numbers in most peripheral tissues, but not in bone marrow.
  • The reduction in peripheral NK cells is primarily due to a decrease in mature CD11b(+) CD27(-) NK cells.
  • NK cell development progresses normally in early stages in aged mice, but terminal maturation is impaired, correlating with reduced proliferation of immature NK cells.

Conclusions:

  • Advanced age impairs NK cell maturation within the bone marrow, impacting peripheral NK cell homeostasis.
  • Reduced mature NK cells in aged individuals compromise their immune surveillance capacity against viral infections and cancer.