title: Flow cytometry in detection of abnormalities of natural killer cell.
abstract: The population of natural killer (NK) cells is very heterogeneous and plays a role in the immune system. Several NK cells subpopulations are recognized, differing in phenotype, cytokine release and cytotoxic ability. Different expression of biologically relevant molecules on the surface of NK cells may indicate their multiple functions. The activity of NK cells has mainly to do with their cytotoxic nature. A complete analysis of NK cells function requires application of many tests because a defect may be present at different stages of the cytotoxic process, from signal transduction through lysosome degranulation to target cells destruction. Flow cytometry is actually one of the best methods for the identification of NK cells and tracking their defects.
authors: Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. aksiak@interia.pl
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Popko
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Malinowska
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Gorska
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Stelmaszczyk-Emmel
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Demkow
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D051359:Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / Q000175:diagnosis; D052118:Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1 / Q000032:analysis; D052119:Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 2 / Q000032:analysis; D055627:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1 / Q000032:analysis; D055629:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 2 / Q000032:analysis; D055628:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3 / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D016207:Cytokines; D052118:Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1; D052119:Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 2; C112260:NCR1 protein, human; C112837:NCR2 protein, human; C431710:NCR3 protein, human; D055627:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1; D055629:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 2; D055628:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3