Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies
09:54

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies

Published on: May 22, 2020

Intracellular poly(I:C) initiated gastric adenocarcinoma cell apoptosis and subsequently ameliorated NK cell

Jing Qu1, Zhaohua Hou, Qiuju Han

  • 1Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Immunopharmacology and Immunotherapy, Shandong University , Jinan, China .

Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research : the Official Journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research
|September 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Intracellular polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] induces gastric cancer cell apoptosis and enhances natural killer (NK) cell anti-tumor activity. This immune stimulation, mediated by type I interferon, suggests poly(I:C) as a potential therapy for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for anti-viral defense and tumor immune surveillance.
  • NK cell function is often impaired in cancer patients.
  • Polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] is an immune adjuvant known to enhance immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of intracellular poly(I:C) on gastric adenocarcinoma cells and NK cell activity.
  • To explore the potential of poly(I:C) as a therapeutic agent for gastric cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Gastric adenocarcinoma cells were treated with intracellular poly(I:C).
  • Apoptosis, MICA/B and Fas expression, and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity were assessed.
  • Supernatants from poly(I:C)-treated cells were used to evaluate effects on NK cell proliferation, migration, and activity.
  • Type I interferon (IFN) production was analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Intracellular poly(I:C) rapidly induced apoptosis in gastric adenocarcinoma cells.
  • Poly(I:C) treatment increased cancer cell sensitivity to NK cell-mediated lysis by upregulating MICA/B and Fas.
  • Supernatants from poly(I:C)-treated cells significantly enhanced NK cell cytolytic activity, proliferation, and migration.
  • Type I IFN produced by treated cancer cells was identified as a key mediator.

Conclusions:

  • Intracellular poly(I:C) triggers gastric adenocarcinoma cell apoptosis and enhances NK cell responses.
  • Poly(I:C) boosts NK cell activity by inducing type I IFN production from cancer cells.
  • Poly(I:C) shows promise as a therapeutic agent for gastric adenocarcinoma.

More Related Videos

Artificial Antigen Presenting Cell (aAPC) Mediated Activation and Expansion of Natural Killer T Cells13:18

Artificial Antigen Presenting Cell (aAPC) Mediated Activation and Expansion of Natural Killer T Cells

Published on: December 29, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Gastritis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Gastritis II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of gastritis begins with the colonization of the stomach lining by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium spreads mainly via the oral-oral route through saliva or shared utensils, and can also be transmitted in overcrowded or unhygienic environments through contaminated water, despite its brief survival outside the body.ColonizationOnce ingested, H. pylori enters the stomach and begins colonization by navigating through the mucus layer lining the stomach wall. It...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists01:28

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy.  SP binds and activates these...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...