Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
08:17

Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions

Published on: October 30, 2016

Functional and phenotypic assessment of neonatal human leucocytes expressing natural killer cell-associated antigens

K F Bradstock1, C Luxford, P G Grimsley

  • 1Department of Haematology, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.

Immunology and Cell Biology
|December 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Cord blood contains unique natural killer (NK) cells with distinct phenotypes and functional deficits compared to adults. These cells show potential for induction of NK activity, highlighting differences in early immune development.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for innate immunity.
  • NK cell populations in umbilical cord blood (UCB) differ from adult peripheral blood.
  • Understanding UCB NK cell phenotype and function is vital for immunotherapy and transplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the phenotype and function of NK cells isolated from UCB.
  • To compare UCB NK cell properties with those of adult NK cells.
  • To identify unique subsets within the UCB NK cell population.

Main Methods:

  • Immunomagnetic depletion of lymphocytes and monocytes from UCB using specific monoclonal antibodies (CD2, CD3, CD14, CD19).
  • Flow cytometry analysis to assess NK cell markers (CD16, CD56, CD7, CD45RA, CD8, CD57) and MHC Class II expression.
  • Natural cytotoxicity assays against K562 targets, with and without recombinant human IL-2 stimulation.

Main Results:

  • Depleted UCB mononuclear leukocytes were enriched for CD16+ (53.6%) and CD56+ (42.7%) NK cell markers, with significant overlap.
  • A unique subset (CD2- CD3- CD7+ CD16+ CD56- CD57-) was identified, lacking typical adult NK cell markers like CD57 and MHC Class II.
  • Freshly depleted UCB cells exhibited minimal natural cytotoxicity, but NK activity was inducible upon IL-2 exposure without significant phenotypic change.

Conclusions:

  • UCB NK cells exhibit distinct phenotypic profiles and functional immaturity compared to adult NK cells.
  • A novel UCB NK cell subset with a unique phenotype was identified, requiring further investigation into its lineage relationship.
  • The findings underscore the developmental differences in NK cells between UCB and adult blood, with implications for immune reconstitution.

More Related Videos

A Flow Cytometry-Based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Human NK Cell Activity06:08

A Flow Cytometry-Based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Human NK Cell Activity

Published on: August 9, 2017

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies09:54

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

Published on: May 22, 2020

Related Concept Videos

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

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

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...
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...