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

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

14.4K
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
14.4K
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

6.3K
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...
6.3K
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
Determination01:51

Determination

20.5K
During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In...
20.5K
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

2.0K
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
2.0K
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

7.7K
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...
7.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Strategic engineering B cell immunity for cancer immunotherapy.

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society·2026
Same author

Distinct transcription factors control tissue adaptation and effector function in infant and adult memory T cells.

Nature immunology·2026
Same author

Immune development in early life.

Nature immunology·2026
Same author

Characteristics of missing incidents and risk factors for harm for older people with and without dementia in the UK.

Age and ageing·2026
Same author

Dual targeting of PI3Kγ and STING overcomes regulatory B cell- and myeloid cell-driven immune suppression in pancreatic cancer.

Nature cancer·2026
Same author

Age determines NK cell fate and tissue compartmentalization to CMV infection.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 28, 2025

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

3.5K

Tissue Determinants of Human NK Cell Development, Function, and Residence.

Pranay Dogra1, Chiara Rancan2, Wenji Ma3

  • 1Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Cell
|February 16, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Human natural killer (NK) cells show distinct tissue-specific patterns. Mature NK cells dominate peripheral sites, while immature cells reside in lymphoid and intestinal tissues, revealing anatomic regulation of immune cell development and function.

Keywords:
NK cellscytotoxicityhuman immunologyimmune developmentimmunity of aginginnate immunitylymphoid tissuesmucosal immunitysystems immunologytissue residence

More Related Videos

Purification and Expansion of Mouse Invariant Natural Killer T Cells for in vitro and in vivo Studies
08:37

Purification and Expansion of Mouse Invariant Natural Killer T Cells for in vitro and in vivo Studies

Published on: February 15, 2021

4.6K
An Optimized Method for Isolating and Expanding Invariant Natural Killer T Cells from Mouse Spleen
09:01

An Optimized Method for Isolating and Expanding Invariant Natural Killer T Cells from Mouse Spleen

Published on: October 29, 2015

12.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 28, 2025

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

3.5K
Purification and Expansion of Mouse Invariant Natural Killer T Cells for in vitro and in vivo Studies
08:37

Purification and Expansion of Mouse Invariant Natural Killer T Cells for in vitro and in vivo Studies

Published on: February 15, 2021

4.6K
An Optimized Method for Isolating and Expanding Invariant Natural Killer T Cells from Mouse Spleen
09:01

An Optimized Method for Isolating and Expanding Invariant Natural Killer T Cells from Mouse Spleen

Published on: October 29, 2015

12.6K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Immune responses across different tissue sites are crucial for maintaining protective immunity and overall homeostasis.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes vital for combating viral infections and tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how tissue localization influences the development and function of human natural killer (NK) cells.
  • To identify tissue-specific distribution, maturation, and functional patterns of NK cells in humans.

Main Methods:

  • High-dimensional analysis of NK cells from various human tissue sites including blood, lymphoid organs, and mucosal tissues.
  • Analysis of samples from 60 individuals to identify age- and inter-individual variations.

Main Results:

  • Distinct tissue-specific patterns in NK cell subset distribution, maturation, and function were identified.
  • Mature NK cells with high effector function are prevalent in blood, bone marrow, spleen, and lungs, sharing common transcriptional programs.
  • Immature NK cells with lower effector capacity are found in lymph nodes and intestines, displaying tissue-resident signatures and adaptations.

Conclusions:

  • Anatomic localization dictates NK cell development and maintenance, with distinct populations residing in specific tissues.
  • Mature NK cell subsets are strategically positioned in peripheral sites to mediate immunosurveillance effectively.