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

Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

8.7K
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...
8.7K
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

6.5K
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...
6.5K
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

7.9K
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...
7.9K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

1.8K
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...
1.8K
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

8.1K
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
8.1K
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

4.0K
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...
4.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

iPSC-derived NK cell therapy induces durable responses in glioblastoma and overcomes resistance via a B7-H3-targeted tri-specific killer engager.

Neuro-oncology·2026
Same author

Pre-treatment Gut Microbiome Diversity and Function Linked to Cytotoxic and Natural Killer Cell Immune Responses after N-803 Treatment in People with HIV.

Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·2026
Same author

Case of complete response to immunotherapy in MMR-deficient prostate cancer associated with NK-like and CD4<sup>+</sup>CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells.

Cell reports. Medicine·2026
Same author

Can natural killer cells cure leukemia?

Leukemia·2026
Same author

HIV tri-specific killer engagers directly enhance NK cell function and safely expand NK cells in vivo.

Cell reports. Medicine·2026
Same author

Reprogramming endogenous NK circuits by highly efficient nonviral genome editing.

The Journal of experimental medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Generation of Natural Killer Cells from Human Expanded Potential Stem Cells
06:53

Generation of Natural Killer Cells from Human Expanded Potential Stem Cells

Published on: January 13, 2023

3.6K

Human NK Cell Development: One Road or Many?

Frank Cichocki1, Bartosz Grzywacz2, Jeffrey S Miller1

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.

Frontiers in Immunology
|September 27, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Human Natural Killer (NK) cell development from hematopoietic progenitors (HPCs) is debated. This review examines evidence for linear versus branched development models, crucial for immunotherapy applications.

Keywords:
NK celladaptivedevelopmentdifferentiationimmuneinnateprecursorprogenitor

More Related Videos

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

19.4K
Natural Killer NK and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line
11:02

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

Published on: February 8, 2022

6.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Generation of Natural Killer Cells from Human Expanded Potential Stem Cells
06:53

Generation of Natural Killer Cells from Human Expanded Potential Stem Cells

Published on: January 13, 2023

3.6K
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

19.4K
Natural Killer NK and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line
11:02

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

Published on: February 8, 2022

6.3K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Hematopoiesis

Background:

  • Natural Killer (NK) cells are crucial immune cells that develop from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors (HPCs).
  • Current understanding suggests a linear model of NK cell development from common lymphocyte progenitors (CLPs) to CD56bright and then CD56dim subsets.
  • This linear model is supported by in vivo and in vitro studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and critically evaluate evidence supporting both linear and branched models of human NK cell development.
  • To highlight the challenges in definitively concluding the NK cell developmental pathway.
  • To inform in vitro differentiation strategies for generating NK cells for immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on human NK cell development.
  • Analysis of evidence supporting linear and branched developmental models.
  • Examination of cell surface marker expression (CD34, CD56, CD94, CD16, KIR) during development.

Main Results:

  • The prevailing linear model posits a continuum from CLPs to CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells.
  • Evidence exists that challenges the linear model, suggesting a branched pathway with distinct precursor populations.
  • Discrepancies in developmental models highlight the complexity of human NK cell ontogeny.

Conclusions:

  • A definitive understanding of human NK cell development remains elusive.
  • Both linear and branched models have supporting evidence, indicating a complex developmental process.
  • Clarifying NK cell development is essential for optimizing NK cell-based immunotherapies.