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Type 1 and 2 diabetes are associated with reduced natural killer cell cytotoxicity

Dae Yoon Kim1, Jae Kwon Lee2

  • 1College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea.

Cellular Immunology
|July 31, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Diabetes mellitus (DM) impairs natural killer (NK) cell activity, reducing their ability to fight cancer. High blood sugar levels in diabetic mice led to decreased NK cell function and activation markers.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder linked to immune system dysfunction.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for innate immunity and cancer surveillance.
  • Understanding how diabetes affects NK cell activity is vital for managing complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of hyperglycemia on NK cell activity in diabetes.
  • To analyze changes in NK cell cytotoxic function and activation markers under diabetic conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus mouse models were established.
  • NK cell activity and expression of activation markers (NKG2D, NKp46) were assessed.
  • Granzyme B production in NK cells was measured.

Main Results:

  • NK cells from diabetic mice exhibited significantly lower cytotoxic activity against cancer cells compared to controls.
  • Reduced NK cell activity correlated with the duration of diabetes.
  • Diabetic NK cells showed decreased expression of activation markers NKG2D and NKp46.
  • Production of the cytotoxic molecule granzyme B was diminished in NK cells from diabetic mice.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperglycemia associated with diabetes mellitus negatively impacts NK cell function.
  • Diabetes compromises NK cell-mediated immune responses, potentially increasing susceptibility to infections and cancer.
  • These findings highlight a critical link between metabolic health and immune surveillance.
Keywords:
DiabetesGranzyme BNK cellNKG2DNKp46

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