Analysis and Use of Mutant Mice Exhibiting Natural Killer Cell Defects

Natural killer (NK) cells mediate host defense through recognition and lysis of tumors, virally infected cells and “missing self” hematopoietic blast cells (1 ). Various in vitro experimental systems to assay NK cell function have been established, which indeed contribute to determining the functional capacities of NK cells under either normal or abnormal biological conditions. However, as our biological knowledge and technologies develop, the evaluation of NK function directly in vivo has become more essential. Because the function of each cell type within the immune network, including NK cells, is tightly interrelated, isolated cells might not exhibit normal physiological function when cultured in plastic dishes.