With your immune system operating at peak efficiency, it should be able to seek and destroy any undesirable cell anywhere in the body. It simply does not matter to your immune system where it is or what it is called. If it is not supposed to be there, it will attack and destroy it.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells are a type of lethal lymphocyte. Like cytotoxic T cells, they contain granules filled with potent chemicals. They are called "natural" killers because they, unlike cytotoxic T cells, do not need to recognize a specific antigen before swinging into action. They target tumor cells and protect against a wide variety of infectious microbes. In several immunodeficiency diseases, including AIDS, natural killer cell function is abnormal. Natural Killer Cells may also contribute to immunoregulation by secreting high levels of infuential lymphokines

Both cytotoxic T Cells and Natural Killer Cells kill on contact. The killer binds to its target, aims its weapons and then delivers a lethal burst of chemicals that produces holes in the target cell's membrance. Fluids seep in and leak out, and the cell bursts.

The cancer cell in the picture above is being attacked by the Natural Killer (NK) cells of the immune system. Note the tentacles of the cancer cell. The main function of these cells is to kill damaged or infected cells. NK cells target any cell that is missing the "self" marker that identifies it as one of our own. Foreign cells and mutated cells like cancer cells are without these "self" markers. The NK cells attach and destroy these cells and spare normal cells that have high levels of "self" markers. The killing process begins when the NK cell binds to the target cell and releases it's lethal burst of chemicals that produce holes in the target cell membrane. Fluids and salts seep in and the target cell eventually bursts.

Cells are continually being produced as a normal process of life. Occasionally a mutated cell is produced. Under normal conditions this mutated cell is destroyed by your immune system before any harm is done. However, if your immune system is not operating at peak efficiency, then these types of cells get by. If left unchecked they can multiply until a problem such as cancer arises.

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December 8, 1999

BODY'S NATURAL KILLER DEFENSE REVEALED: ROCKVILLE, MD.

A molecular lock and key complex of so-called natural killer cells in the blood stream has been found for the first time, scientists at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) report in today's issue of the journal Nature. Natural Killer (NK) cells are a critical, first line of defense against cancer tumor cells and cells infected with the AIDS virus and other harmful microbes. They have molecules on their cell surfaces called NK receptors that find and destroy diseased cells.

The scients have captured the first real look a the subtle workings of NK cells, says co-author Roy A. Mariuzza, professor and molecular biologist at UMBI's Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology (CARB) in Rockville, Md. "This tells us for the first time how NK cells recognize the difference between normal and abnormal, infected cells." He says the molecular machinery of NK cells is not as well understood as that of T or B while blood cells for fighting infections, but is also essential for maintaining health. "Lucky for us, there are NK cells", says Mariuzza. Some viruses such as HIV, the cause of AIDS, have evolved camouflaging tricks and can't be destroyed by T cells." The NK cells find and destroy unprotected cells that are infected, those that no longer have markers called MHC molecules on their surface to say they are healthy," he says. The NK cells patrol the bloodstream in all directions like molecular police cruisers, says Mariuzza, using their NK receptors to signal out abnormal cells without proper MHC identification. The NK cell punches the abnormal cell with toxic granules and kills it. At CARB, Mariuzza and collaborators discovered how an NK receptor molecule locks onto MNC molecules, which are on the surgaces of practically all normal cells. Once locked on, the NK cell "knows" the blood cell with the MHC marker is all right. It unlocks, then goes "cruising" off to check out other cells.

The laboratory breakthrough occurred when the researchers made a pure crystal of the molecular complex, or the checkup point, of an NK receptor and an MHC marker molecule. They then applied a powerful beam of X-rays to the crystal to compute the positions of the atoms making up the molecular lock-and-key structure. The result was the first 3-dimensional molecular structure known for the interaction of the NK receptor and an MHC marker.

"By identifying the molecular structure, the researchers have validated the missing self hypothesis that NK cells will attach only virus-infected or tumor cells that have lost their healthy self identity" says Jennie Hunter-Cevera, UMBI president.

For medical research, the discovery helps form a more rational way of discovering new disease fighting drugs, says collaborator David H. Margulies of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. Now that the first molecular structure of an NK receptor/MHC linkage is known, says Margulies, DNA researchers can experiment with "changing the molecules to assess how they bind and behave." He comments that the discovery means now "you see exactly what the NK cells sees."

Mariuzza adds, "Our results give us a basis for expanding research on NK cell receptors and MHC. We have actually found two distinct (molecular) binding sites. One was unexpected. Now we need to compare this to still unknown structures of other NK receptors to find out how each of them works."

Scientists estimate that NK cells make up five to 16 percent of the total number of white blood cells that the body uses to fight infections. Those with defective or absent NK cell activity can contract a wide spectrum of diseases, particularly cancers. In fact, results from a number of clinical trials indicate that NK cells can be used to control tumor metastates. The therapeutic uses of NK cell activity will likely increase as their relationships to healthy and diseased cells becomes better known.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy promises to be an important adjutant therapy when addressing cancer with radiation and chemotherapy. By using the phenomenal recognition ability of the immune system, it gives a better way to target and treat cancers. If used in conjunction with the traditional methods, it offers a way to get the immune system involved. Vital HF (Humic/Fulvic Acid) and Beta Glucan Supreme can be a vital force when facing the challenges associated with cancer treatments for our pets today. Many members of the veterinary community now view immunotherapy as the most promising new way of addressing cancers in the future. With these products as well others coming on the market, research and immunology has shown that they increase the NK cell activity dramatically in both animal and human studies. Please note: Vital HF and Beta Glucan Supreme are designed to enhance immune system function to it's optimal level, not to cure disease itself. Any improvement in disease is a direct result of immune system function efficiency.

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