Articles tagged with Natural Killer Cells
UCSF scientists have invented a way to treat cancer with teacher cells and tumor pieces, combining immune cells grown in the lab with patient tumor samples. The method uses dendritic cells to train T cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells, offering a promising approach to immunotherapy.
Researchers at Pusan National University investigated how chronic environmental stress drives immune dysfunction in cold tumors, revealing a key driver of NK-cell maladaptation: the GDF15-AhR axis. This axis sustains activation of stress-sensing receptors, gradually exhausting NK cells and enabling immune escape.
Scientists from the University of Osaka have identified a previously unknown molecular mechanism linking mitochondrial morphology to innate immune activation. Abnormally long mitochondria can trigger the release of mitochondrial RNA into the cytosol, activating RNA-sensing proteins and leading to anti-tumor immunity.
Researchers at Garvan Institute of Medical Research discovered key immune cells malfunction in mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), a rare but devastating autoinflammatory disorder. Current treatments targeting inflammatory signals produced by macrophages fail in half of patients, but JAK inhibitors may provide relief.
The KIR-CAR T cell therapy has shown promising results in a Phase I clinical trial, demonstrating safety and increasing efficacy with higher doses. The treatment targets mesothelin, widely expressed on several solid tumor cancers, and limits side effects through its natural 'on-off' mechanism.
Research found that anxiety symptoms reduce circulatory NK cells and sub-populations, while insomnia symptoms decrease total NK cells. This could lead to impaired immune function and increased disease susceptibility.
Researchers have identified three distinct immunotypes in EPTB patients, revealing new insights into disease mechanisms. Additionally, gene expression-based biomarkers have been developed to reliably diagnose both pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Researchers identified key genes connected to cellular lipid metabolism that guide the precise release of cytotoxic granules in human NK and T cells. This discovery explains how immune cells work and sheds light on diseases caused by genetic defects.
Research found that defense cells of trained older adults are more effective against inflammation and metabolically efficient. Regular exercise modulates inflammatory response over time, reducing markers of inflammation and increasing anti-inflammatory markers.
Researchers have discovered that blocking NK cell checkpoints could significantly enhance cancer immunotherapy, providing new avenues for treating solid tumors and blood cancers. Emerging precision approaches using gene editing and engineered cell therapies promise specific recognition of cancer cells with potentially fewer side effects.
Researchers from The University of Osaka have identified a protein expressed on malaria-infected red blood cells that can hide from the immune system while also activating immune cells to destroy infected cells. This dual function makes the protein an excellent target for vaccine development and treatment.
Researchers at MD Anderson have made significant progress in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by combining chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. They found that pre-surgical combination therapy showed promising results, with high rates of pathological complete response and major pathological response.
Adaptive NK cells exhibit tumor-specific immune memory and cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer, making them promising for cancer treatment. The study challenges previous perceptions of NK cells, which have historically been considered only innate immune cells with no memory function against cancer.
A Phase I trial demonstrates AFM13-NK cells are safe and highly effective in heavily pretreated patients with refractory CD30-positive lymphomas, achieving an overall response rate of 92.9% and complete response of 66.7%. The treatment was well-tolerated, with no cases of cytokine release syndrome or graft-versus-host disease.
Researchers developed a new approach to strengthen NK cells' fight against tumors by using CRISPR/Cas9 to eliminate the SMAD4 gene, making them resistant to TGF-β and Activin A molecules. The modified cells showed greater capacity to control tumor growth in both laboratory models and mice.
A recent study from IR Sant Pau investigates the peripheral immune system's role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the single-cell level. The research found altered NK cell subpopulations associated with ALS progression, suggesting a potential target for new therapies.
A new study found distinct changes in children with severe cases of RSV, including elevated NK cells in the airways and altered immunological function. This research may help identify new targets for future treatments.
Researchers have identified a key metabolic feature of human tissue-resident NK cells in the lung that enables them to rapidly respond to increased glucose levels. This unique adaptation could be a major target for future therapies in lung diseases, including cancer and infections.
Natural killer cells engineered to express interleukin-21 demonstrate sustained antitumor activity against glioblastoma stem cell-like cells both in vitro and in vivo. IL-21 NK cells exhibit a stronger metabolic fitness than those expressing IL-15, leading to improved tumor control.
Scientists discovered that Tumour Treating Fields (TTFs) improve Natural Killer cell killing by increasing degranulation, a sign of better cell function. The findings offer promising implications for treating glioblastoma and other cancers.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed CAR memory-like NK cells targeting the mesothelin protein, demonstrating superior antitumor activity in laboratory and animal models. The new cells maintained their effectiveness even after exposure to immunosuppressive ascitic fluid.
A new Finnish study from University of Turku shows that already a 30-minute exercise can increase the proportion of tumor-killing white blood cells in the bloodstream of breast cancer patients. The amount of several different white blood cell types increased during exercise, with cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells rising the most.
Researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have engineered CAR NK cells with CD28 costimulation to improve antitumor activity and persistence. These cells demonstrated high cytotoxicity against CD70+ tumor cells in preclinical models, suggesting a promising approach for cancer therapy.
A new study finds that periods of fasting can reprogram the immune system's natural killer cells to better fight cancer. The research suggests that fasting may help improve immune responses and make immunotherapy more effective by training NK cells to survive in the tumor environment and produce more cytokines.
Researchers at Universitatsklinikum Bonn have developed a novel technology to identify chemokine-producing cells and sensors, revealing that natural killer cells are the primary producers of Ccl3 during CMV infection. This discovery sheds light on the complex choreography of immune cells in defending against viruses.
Researchers identified a gene mutation associated with impaired natural killer cell function, leading to increased susceptibility to viral infections in people with a rare genetic condition. Oleic acid supplementation shows promise as a potential therapy for these patients.
A University of Oklahoma researcher has made promising discoveries on the role of vitamin B6 in pancreatic cancer. By understanding how pancreatic cancer cells deplete vitamin B6, she developed a three-part strategy to impede their growth and enhance immune function.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have explored a new approach to combat HIV by enhancing Natural Killer cell function. The study found that providing healthy NK cells and an anti-HIV drug resulted in significant reductions in infection burden, offering a potential cure strategy.
Researchers discovered that immune cells called natural killer cells rapidly lose their functionality when entering solid tumours, adopting a dormant state. However, targeting the IL-15 pathway can restore NK cell activity and improve tumor control. This breakthrough could pave the way for new cancer treatments.
Researchers have developed nanodrones that target and eliminate cancer cells by recruiting natural killer cells to tumor sites. The study offers a potential solution for intractable types of cancers, with promising results in suppressing tumor growth without causing side effects.
Researchers found SARS-CoV-2 viruses persisting in lung cells for up to 18 months post-infection, despite undetectable upper respiratory tract presence. The study suggests a link between innate immunity failure and virus persistence.
A recent study reveals that NK cells can memorize viral antigens and differentiate into immune memory NK cells with considerable killing ability. Themis2, a cytoplasmic protein, plays a crucial role in regulating this process.
A team of researchers has discovered a subtype of natural killer cells, known as TaNK cells, which exhibit dysfunctional anti-tumor functions within the tumor microenvironment. These cells have been found to be associated with adverse prognoses and resistance to immunotherapy in various cancer types.
Researchers found that CAR NK cells lose metabolic fitness when competing with tumor cells for nutrients, leading to resistance. Engineering cells with IL-15 enhances metabolic fitness and provides a longer-lasting anti-tumor response.
The study reveals that intratumoral natural killer cells' loss of membrane protrusions impairs their ability to recognize and kill tumor cells. Researchers developed a single-immunocyte mass spectrometry technology to detect the decrease in sphingomyelin, which can restore protrusion formation and improve NK cells' killing capacity.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine has identified immature Natural Killer (NK) cells as a key factor in promoting disease progression in triple-negative breast cancer. The researchers suggest that targeting these rogue NK cells could lead to new and more effective treatments for this aggressive form of breast cancer.
A study published in Nature Immunology found that female mouse and human NK cells have more of a specific epigenetic regulator called UTX, which boosts anti-viral function while repressing NK cell numbers. This suggests that therapies need to be tailored to individual differences, including sex.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have found a way to overcome barriers limiting cancer immunotherapies. They discovered that activating the STING protein can increase regulatory B cells, which suppress anti-cancer immunity.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a new immunotherapy strategy to eliminate fibroblasts in targeted manner, reducing lung and liver fibrosis in mice. The treatment triggers an immune response via cytotoxic T-cells, eliminating activated connective tissue cells while leaving resting cells undamaged.
A new combination therapy using a plant virus and an antibody activates natural killer cells to target and destroy cancer cells. The therapy eliminates all tumors and prevents their recurrence, resulting in 100% survival in mouse models of colon cancer.
Research reveals distinct cellular receptor mutations influence COVID-19 disease severity, with high-affinity variants associated with increased risk. The study found that these genetic variants lead to an exaggerated immune response and enhanced antibody-dependent activation of killer cells.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have found that specific proteins surrounding organs and tissues can suppress natural killer cell function. Blocking these interactions could potentially reactivate the cells, providing a new strategy for treating various health conditions, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and inflamm...
A new study by Karolinska Institutet reveals that natural killer cells respond to a specific peptide on the surface of infected cells. This peptide triggers an activation response in NK cells carrying the NKG2A receptor, allowing them to kill virus-infected cells.
A recent study from Lund University found a previously unknown metabolic switch that regulates blood cell formation, enabling the directed production of natural killer cells for anti-cancer treatment. This discovery has significant implications for immunotherapy and cancer treatment.
A UCLA-led team has improved a method to kill HIV-infected cells, using natural killer cells to target and eliminate them. The approach could lead to reducing or eliminating the virus from infected individuals who rely on medication.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered that naturally acquired immunity to malaria works differently than immunity following vaccination. The immune system uses natural killer cells to fight the parasite, which is more tailored to the disease than other typical infections.
Researchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2 causes an early release of the immune-dampening TGFβ messenger, disrupting the innate immune response. This disruption impairs natural killer cells' ability to eliminate virus-infected cells, leading to severe disease.
Scientists at Hokkaido University have developed a lipid nanoparticle that delivers immune-signaling molecules into liver macrophage cells to overcome resistance to anti-tumor immunotherapy. This approach has shown promise in mice experiments and could lead to the development of an adjuvant treatment for cancer patients.
Researchers developed a 3D platform to study therapeutic combinations against cancer cells, allowing for rapid optimization of personalized immunotherapies. The platform demonstrated significant differences in treatment efficacy between 2D cell cultures and the 3D spheroid design.
Researchers found that extracellular mRNA is taken up by natural killer cells and transported to the nucleus, enhancing migration activity and interferon gamma production. This mechanism inhibits cancer metastasis in animal experiments.
Researchers engineered NK cells to resist immune suppression and eliminated glioblastoma stem cells using inhibitors targeting TGF-β receptors. The study suggests a combinatorial approach of NK cell-based immunotherapy with disruption of the TGF-β signaling axis for treating glioblastoma.
Researchers at Clemson University developed a bifunctional protein that links natural killer cells to breast cancer tumor cells, triggering the killing of cancer cells. The approach has potential as a new treatment option for triple-negative breast cancer, which is often lethal due to its high heterogeneity and lack of efficient treatm...
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin and ONK Therapeutics are collaborating to optimize the metabolism of natural killer cells for enhanced anti-tumor functions. The project aims to address the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that impairs NK cell efficacy.
Researchers have discovered that natural killer cells and interferon gamma play a crucial role in preventing cancer metastases. Targeted therapies, such as immunotherapy and interferon gamma therapy, show promise in maintaining dormant cancer cells in a state of hibernation.
A new preclinical study from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that cord blood-derived NK cells combined with AFM13 displayed potent anti-tumor activity against CD30+ lymphoma cells. The therapy showed improved tumor control and survival in animal models with minimal side effects.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a new approach to training immune cells to fight cancer, which has shown promising results in overcoming the hostile conditions found inside solid tumours. The modified natural killer cells were able to destroy advanced ovarian and lung cancer with high effectiveness.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have successfully modified natural killer cells to selectively target and destroy lymphoma cells, a promising breakthrough in cancer treatment. The innovative approach uses glycans, sugar-like molecules that play crucial roles in disease, to steer the cells to malignant B-cells.
Researchers found that one third of human liver NK cells can remember viruses and respond specifically to them, making them an interesting target for prophylactic use in the fight against infections. This subset of NK cells exhibits a unique gene expression profile and could be used for specific vaccination strategies.
Researchers found that NK cell activation differed in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19. Adaptive NK cells, which have a greater ability to kill target cells, were observed in severely ill patients.
Scientists create super-powered natural killer cells by deleting an inhibitory gene, resulting in improved anti-tumor activity and persistence. The modified cells also exhibit enhanced metabolic reprogramming and energy utilization, leading to more effective cancer treatment.