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What are NK cells?
2022-07-28
An important component of the human immune system, belonging to the lymphocytes of innate (non-specific) immunity, it can quickly identify and kill abnormal cells (such as virus-infected cells or tumor cells) without prior contact with antigens.
The exact origin of NK cells is not yet fully understood. It is generally believed that they are directly derived from the bone marrow, and their development and maturation depend on the bone marrow microenvironment. In vitro experiments in mice and humans have shown that thymic cells can also induce NK cells in vitro when cultured in the presence of cytokines such as IL-2. In vivo, IL-3 induction in mouse spleens can promote NK cell differentiation. NK cells are mainly distributed in peripheral blood, accounting for 5-10% of PBMCs. NK activity is also present in lymph nodes and bone marrow, but at lower levels than in peripheral blood.
Natural Killer Cells (NK cells)
Because NK cells possess some T cell differentiation antigens, such as 80-90% NK cells being CD2+, 20-30% NK cells being CD3+ (expressing the CD3ζ chain), 30% NK cells being CD8+ (α/α), and 75-90% NK cells being CD38+, and because NK cells have high-affinity receptors for IL-2 and can proliferate in response to IL-2 stimulation, and activated NK cells can produce IFN-γ, it is generally believed that NK cells are more closely related to T cells in terms of development.
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