Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Analysis of Human Natural Killer Cell Metabolism
09:03

Analysis of Human Natural Killer Cell Metabolism

Published on: June 22, 2020

7.6K

Metabolic regulation of natural killer cells

David K Finlay1

  • 1School of Biochemistry and Immunology, and School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland finlayd@tcd.ie.

Biochemical Society Transactions
|November 10, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Cellular metabolism regulates natural killer (NK) cell function. The mTORC1 pathway promotes glycolysis, essential for NK cell anti-viral and anti-tumour responses, similar to T cells.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Metabolism
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for anti-viral and anti-tumour immunity.
  • Cellular metabolism significantly impacts the function of activated immune cells, including NK cells.
  • The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) is a key regulator of immune cell metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the regulation of cellular metabolism in NK cells.
  • To compare NK cell metabolism with that of T lymphocytes.
  • To discuss the implications of metabolic regulation for NK cell responses in viral infections and cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on NK cell and T cell metabolism.
  • Analysis of the role of mTORC1 in immune cell metabolic pathways.
  • Discussion of metabolic requirements for effector functions.

Main Results:

  • Activated NK cells, like effector T cells, depend on glycolysis for optimal function.
  • mTORC1 signaling promotes glycolytic metabolism in immune cells.
  • Metabolic pathways are critical determinants of NK cell efficacy against viruses and tumors.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular metabolism, particularly glycolysis regulated by mTORC1, is vital for NK cell effector functions.
  • Understanding NK cell metabolism offers insights into enhancing anti-viral and anti-tumour immunity.
  • Metabolic reprogramming strategies may improve NK cell-based therapies.
Keywords:
glucoseglycolysisimmunometabolismmammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)natural killer cells

More Related Videos

Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells06:55

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

Published on: February 22, 2020

19.7K
Natural Killer NK and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line11:02

Natural Killer NK and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line

Published on: February 8, 2022

6.5K

Related Concept Videos

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...
9.5K
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...
8.3K
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...
10.4K
Regulation of Metabolism01:19

Regulation of Metabolism

Cellular needs and conditions vary from cell to cell and change within individual cells over time. For example, the required enzymes and energetic demands of stomach cells are different from those of fat storage cells, skin cells, blood cells, and nerve cells. Furthermore, a digestive cell works much harder to process and break down nutrients during the time that closely follows a meal compared with many hours after a meal. As these cellular demands and conditions vary, so do the amounts and...
12.3K
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
4.4K