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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
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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.
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The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
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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.
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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.
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The process of blood cell formation is called hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis starts early during development, on the seventh day of embryogenesis. This phase of hematopoiesis is called the primitive wave, wherein the extraembryonic yolk sac allows the production of erythroid cells and endothelial cells from a common precursor called hemangioblast. The erythroid cells provide oxygen to support the growth of the rapidly dividing embryo. Hemangioblasts later develop into hematopoietic stem cells or...
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Generation of Natural Killer Cells from Human Expanded Potential Stem Cells
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Human NK cells: From development to effector functions.

Arosh Shavinda Perera Molligoda Arachchige1

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, 437807Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.

Innate Immunity
|March 25, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Natural killer (NK) cells are key innate immune cells fighting viruses and tumors. This review details human NK cell biology, including their development, functions, and applications in cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords:
Natural killeractivationdevelopmenteducationfunctionsreceptors

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial lymphocytes of the innate immune system.
  • They mediate antiviral and anti-tumor responses through germline-encoded receptors, lacking clonotypic receptors like T and B cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of human NK cell biology.
  • To discuss recent advancements in NK cell research and their therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on human NK cell ontogeny, maturation, and function.
  • Analysis of recent findings on tissue-resident NK cells, NK cell memory, and cancer immunotherapy.

Main Results:

  • Human NK cells develop distinct mechanisms for self-recognition.
  • NK cells employ cytotoxic granules, death receptor ligands, and cytokines for effector functions.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding human NK cell biology is essential for advancing cancer immunotherapy.
  • Recent discoveries highlight novel strategies for harnessing NK cells therapeutically.