What does "NK Cells" mean?
Table of Contents
Natural killer (NK) cells are a type of immune cell that play a key role in protecting the body from infections and cancer. They are part of the body's first line of defense and can quickly recognize and destroy harmful cells, such as those infected by viruses or tumor cells.
Function
NK cells work by identifying cells that are unhealthy or have been altered in a way that makes them dangerous. They can kill these cells directly using specialized proteins. They also produce substances that signal other immune cells to come and help in the response.
Activation and Inhibition
NK cells have activation and inhibition receptors on their surface. Activation receptors help tell the NK cells when to attack, while inhibition receptors help them recognize normal cells so they do not mistakenly attack healthy tissues.
Expansion
To increase the number of NK cells for treatments, scientists can grow them in the lab using special feeder cells. These feeder cells help NK cells multiply while keeping their ability to fight cancer intact.
Importance in Therapy
Due to their strong ability to destroy cancer cells, NK cells are being studied for use in new cancer treatments, especially in cell therapy where they can be expanded and used to help the body fight tumors more effectively.