How Natural Killer Cells Secrete Their Granules
Author Information
Author(s): Rak Gregory D., Mace Emily M., Banerjee Pinaki P., Svitkina Tatyana, Orange Jordan S.
Primary Institution: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Hypothesis
How do lytic granules navigate through the actin network during secretion at the immune synapse?
Conclusion
Natural killer cells secrete their lytic granules through small clearances in a pervasive actin network at the immune synapse.
Supporting Evidence
- Actin accumulation is critical for the cytotoxic function of natural killer cells.
- Lytic granules are secreted in areas where there is actin, suggesting a close relationship.
- Super-resolution imaging revealed that actin is present throughout the immunological synapse.
- Degranulation events occur in areas of locally hypodense actin.
Takeaway
Natural killer cells have tiny openings in their actin network that help them release substances to kill infected or cancerous cells.
Methodology
The study used super-resolution microscopy techniques to visualize the actin network and lytic granule secretion in natural killer cells.
Limitations
The study primarily used a cell line model, which may not fully represent in vivo conditions.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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