Biomaterial Database

Evaluation of human natural killer cell activities in whole blood. 2010

Maren Claus, and Carsten Watzl

Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.

Natural killer (NK) cells are important effector cells of the innate immune system. Activation of NK cells results in their cytotoxic activity against locally attached target cells and leads to the secretion of cytokines. These activities are usually measured in purified NK cells or isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In this unit, we describe a protocol to measure NK cell cytotoxicity (lysis of (51)Cr labeled target cells), degranulation (externalization of CD107a), and cytokine production (intracellular FACS analysis of IFN-γ) in whole-blood samples. Using these protocols, it is possible to perform a comprehensive analysis of NK cell function with as little as 3.5 ml of heparinized whole blood.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007371	Interferon-gamma	The major interferon produced by mitogenically or antigenically stimulated LYMPHOCYTES. It is structurally different from TYPE I INTERFERON and its major activity is immunoregulation. It has been implicated in the expression of CLASS II HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS in cells that do not normally produce them, leading to AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.	Interferon Type II,Interferon, Immune,gamma-Interferon,Interferon, gamma,Type II Interferon,Immune Interferon,Interferon, Type II
D007694	Killer Cells, Natural	Bone marrow-derived lymphocytes that possess cytotoxic properties, classically directed against transformed and virus-infected cells. Unlike T CELLS; and B CELLS; NK CELLS are not antigen specific. The cytotoxicity of natural killer cells is determined by the collective signaling of an array of inhibitory and stimulatory CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. A subset of T-LYMPHOCYTES referred to as NATURAL KILLER T CELLS shares some of the properties of this cell type.	NK Cells,Natural Killer Cells,Cell, NK,Cell, Natural Killer,Cells, NK,Cells, Natural Killer,Killer Cell, Natural,NK Cell,Natural Killer Cell
D003601	Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic	The demonstration of the cytotoxic effect on a target cell of a lymphocyte, a mediator released by a sensitized lymphocyte, an antibody, or complement.	AHG-CDC Tests,Anti-Human Globulin Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity Tests,Microcytotoxicity Tests,Anti Human Globulin Complement Dependent Cytotoxicity Tests,Anti-Human Globulin Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity Test,Antiglobulin-Augmented Lymphocytotoxicity Test,Antiglobulin-Augmented Lymphocytotoxicity Tests,Cytotoxicity Test, Immunologic,Cytotoxicity Tests, Anti-Human Globulin Complement-Dependent,Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunological,Immunologic Cytotoxicity Test,Immunologic Cytotoxicity Tests,Lymphocytotoxicity Test, Antiglobulin-Augmented,Lymphocytotoxicity Tests, Antiglobulin-Augmented,Microcytotoxicity Test,AHG CDC Tests,AHG-CDC Test,Anti Human Globulin Complement Dependent Cytotoxicity Test,Antiglobulin Augmented Lymphocytotoxicity Test,Antiglobulin Augmented Lymphocytotoxicity Tests,Cytotoxicity Test, Immunological,Cytotoxicity Tests, Anti Human Globulin Complement Dependent,Immunological Cytotoxicity Test,Immunological Cytotoxicity Tests,Lymphocytotoxicity Test, Antiglobulin Augmented,Lymphocytotoxicity Tests, Antiglobulin Augmented
D003602	Cytotoxicity, Immunologic	The phenomenon of target cell destruction by immunologically active effector cells. It may be brought about directly by sensitized T-lymphocytes or by lymphoid or myeloid "killer" cells, or it may be mediated by cytotoxic antibody, cytotoxic factor released by lymphoid cells, or complement.	Tumoricidal Activity, Immunologic,Immunologic Cytotoxicity,Immunologic Tumoricidal Activities,Immunologic Tumoricidal Activity,Tumoricidal Activities, Immunologic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015550	Cell Degranulation	The process of losing secretory granules (SECRETORY VESICLES). This occurs, for example, in mast cells, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, and platelets when secretory products are released from the granules by EXOCYTOSIS.	Degranulation, Cell
D052118	Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1	An abundant lysosomal-associated membrane protein that has been found to shuttle between LYSOSOMES; ENDOSOMES; and the PLASMA MEMBRANE. In PLATELETS and T-LYMPHOCYTES it may play a role in the cellular degranulation process.	Antigens, CD107a,CD107a Antigens,CD107a Antigen,LAMP1 Protein,LAMPA Protein,LGP120 Protein,Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 1