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

7.5K
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...
7.5K
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

6.8K
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...
6.8K
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

5.7K
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...
5.7K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

1.2K
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...
1.2K
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

880
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
880
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

79.0K
Overview
79.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

The transmembrane IL-15 isoform expressed on human melanoma cells triggers modulatory effects on tumor progression upon stimulation with the soluble IL-15Rα chain.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

ILC2s and their immune checkpoints in the antitumor response.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer·2026
Same author

STAT4 drives optimal expansion and transcriptional repression of type I interferon pathway in inflammatory ILC2.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2026
Same author

Protocol to isolate, expand, and activate human type 2 innate lymphoid cells to study immune checkpoint function.

STAR protocols·2026
Same author

Macrophages regulate PD-1 and CTLA-4 expression on ILC2s and their responsiveness in the tumor microenvironment.

Cellular & molecular immunology·2025
Same author

Progressive NK-cell dysfunction and ILC imbalance favor immune evasion in multiple myeloma.

Blood advances·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 8, 2025

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

19.0K

Human NK cells, their receptors and function.

Linda Quatrini1, Mariella Della Chiesa2, Simona Sivori2

  • 1Department of Immunology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.

European Journal of Immunology
|April 26, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for innate immunity against viruses and tumors. This review explores their biology, regulation, and therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.

Keywords:
Adaptive NK cellsHuman NK cellsInhibitory checkpointsNK cell receptorsTLR

More Related Videos

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

3.4K
Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies
09:54

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies

Published on: May 22, 2020

3.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 8, 2025

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

19.0K
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

3.4K
Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies
09:54

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies

Published on: May 22, 2020

3.7K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes integral to the innate immune system.
  • They play a vital role in defending against viral infections and limiting tumor growth and metastasis.
  • NK cell activity is precisely controlled by activating and inhibitory receptors that distinguish between healthy and abnormal cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review established knowledge on human NK cells.
  • To discuss current debates and recent advancements in NK cell biology, including origin, differentiation, and tissue distribution.
  • To explore NK cell specializations, inhibitory checkpoints, cell-cell interactions, and adaptive responses to viral infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of established and recent research on human NK cells.
  • Synthesis of information on NK cell biology, function, and therapeutic applications.
  • Discussion of open questions and ongoing debates in the field.

Main Results:

  • Human NK cells are key players in innate immunity and cancer therapy.
  • Their function is tightly regulated by a complex receptor system.
  • Recent advances have shed light on NK cell origin, differentiation, tissue distribution, and adaptive capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • Human NK cells are a promising area for cancer immunotherapy.
  • Further research into their biology, regulation, and specializations is essential for optimizing therapeutic strategies.
  • Understanding NK cell interactions and adaptive features can enhance their clinical efficacy.