Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
06:55
Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells
Published on: February 22, 2020
Medullasin induces activated killer cells from human lymphocytes
1Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, Tokyo.
Japanese Journal of Cancer Research : Gann
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Medullasin, a bone marrow protease, effectively induces activated killer cells from human lymphocytes. These cells demonstrate potent lysis against both natural killer-sensitive and -resistant targets.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Human lymphocytes play a crucial role in the immune system.
- The development of activated killer cells is a key area in cancer immunotherapy.
- Medullasin is a serine protease identified in bone marrow cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of medullasin on human lymphocytes.
- To determine if medullasin can induce activated killer cells.
- To characterize the properties of medullasin-induced killer cells.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of human lymphocytes with varying concentrations of medullasin.
- Incubation at optimal temperature (37°C) and time (60 min).
- Assessment of killer cell activity against sensitive and resistant target cells using kinetic studies.
Main Results:
- Medullasin treatment induced activated killer cells in human lymphocytes.
- Optimal medullasin concentration for induction was 20 µg/ml.
- Maximum induction of killer cells was observed 24 hours post-treatment.
- Induced cells exhibited lysis against both natural killer-sensitive and -resistant targets.
Conclusions:
- Medullasin is a potent inducer of cytotoxic lymphocytes.
- Medullasin-derived activated killer cells show broad-spectrum anti-target cell activity.
- This finding suggests potential therapeutic applications for medullasin in immunotherapy.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
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...
01:27Cytotoxic 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...
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...