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Natural Killer NK and CAR-NK Cell Expansion Method using Membrane Bound-IL-21-Modified B Cell Line
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NK cell metabolism.

Clair M Gardiner1

  • 1School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|January 25, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Natural Killer (NK) cells are crucial for fighting viruses and cancer. Understanding their metabolism, or immunometabolism, is key to improving NK cell immunotherapies.

Keywords:
NKNatural KillerOxphosglycolysismetabolism

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Metabolism
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Natural Killer (NK) cells are vital immune cells with significant antiviral and anticancer properties.
  • Their therapeutic potential in immunotherapy is hindered by impaired function in cancer patients.
  • The emerging field of immunometabolism reveals that cellular metabolism regulates immune cell functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce basic concepts of immunometabolism for newcomers to the field.
  • To review the impact of cellular metabolism on Natural Killer (NK) cell biology in both murine and human systems.
  • To discuss how NK cell metabolism is altered in various disease contexts.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes current research on NK cell metabolism.
  • It covers fundamental aspects of glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function.
  • It examines metabolic alterations in NK cells across different physiological and pathological conditions.

Main Results:

  • Cellular metabolism significantly influences NK cell biology and function.
  • Metabolic pathways, including glucose metabolism and mitochondrial activity, are critical for NK cell effectiveness.
  • Dysregulated metabolism in conditions like cancer impairs NK cell activity.

Conclusions:

  • Immunometabolism is a rapidly advancing research area with profound implications for NK cell function.
  • Understanding NK cell metabolism offers promising avenues for enhancing NK cell-based immunotherapies.
  • Targeting metabolic pathways could restore or boost NK cell anti-tumor and anti-viral capabilities.