Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Methods to Assess Beta Cell Death Mediated by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
12:12

Methods to Assess Beta Cell Death Mediated by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

Published on: June 16, 2011

Bovine natural cell mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC): activation by cytokines

J Jensen1, R D Schultz

  • 1Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
|February 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Cytokines like IL-2, alpha-IFN, gamma-IFN, and IL-4 significantly boost bovine natural killer cell activity against cancer cells. However, IL-1 and beta-IFN showed no such effect on these immune cells.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Veterinary Science

Background:

  • Bovine peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBML) possess natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC).
  • Endogenous cytotoxic activity of bovine natural effector cells (NEC) is minimal against K562 and Yac-1 target cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of various cytokines on enhancing the NCMC of bovine NEC.
  • To determine the dose-dependency and kinetics of cytokine-induced NEC activation.

Main Methods:

  • Incubation of bovine PBML with specific cytokines (IL-2, alpha-IFN, gamma-IFN, IL-4, IL-1, beta-IFN).
  • Assessment of NCMC using a 51Cr-release assay with K562 (human) and Yac-1 (mouse) target cells.
  • Evaluation of cytokine concentration and effector:target cell ratio effects.

Main Results:

  • IL-2, alpha-IFN, gamma-IFN, and IL-4 significantly increased NCMC in a dose-dependent manner.
  • Activation was rapid, with alpha-IFN and gamma-IFN showing effects within 6-12 hours, and IL-2 within 12-18 hours.
  • IL-1 and beta-IFN did not enhance cytotoxic activity; cytokine combinations did not show synergistic effects.

Conclusions:

  • Certain cytokines effectively activate bovine natural effector cells to increase NCMC.
  • The activation kinetics and dose-dependency are important factors in cytokine-mediated immune responses in cattle.
  • Further research into specific cytokine applications for bovine immune enhancement is warranted.

More Related Videos

Application of Long-term cultured Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay for Assessing Effector and Memory T Cell Responses in Cattle15:57

Application of Long-term cultured Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay for Assessing Effector and Memory T Cell Responses in Cattle

Published on: July 11, 2015

Generation of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors and Ex vivo Characterization of Tumor-Infiltrating T Cell Cytotoxicity06:16

Generation of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors and Ex vivo Characterization of Tumor-Infiltrating T Cell Cytotoxicity

Published on: December 8, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells 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...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

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...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

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

Cytotoxic 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...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B 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...