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Effect of ascorbic acid on human natural killer cells.

T Huwyler, A Hirt, A Morell

    Immunology Letters
    |January 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary

    Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) inhibits natural killer (NK) cell activity in a dose-dependent way. This effect is temperature-dependent, suggesting vitamin C acts as a radical scavenger impacting NK cell function.

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    Area of Science:

    • Immunology
    • Cell Biology
    • Nutritional Science

    Background:

    • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for innate immunity, providing rapid responses to virally infected cells and tumors.
    • The role of nutrients, such as vitamin C, in modulating immune cell function is an area of ongoing research.
    • Understanding how ascorbic acid affects NK cell activity is important for immune health and therapeutic strategies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on human natural killer (NK) cell activity.
    • To determine if vitamin C influences NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, cell binding, or cytokine-induced activation.
    • To elucidate the mechanism by which vitamin C might modulate NK cell function.

    Main Methods:

    • Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and treated with varying concentrations of ascorbic acid.
    • NK cell activity was assessed using standard cytotoxicity assays.
    • Effector/target cell binding assays and assessment of NK cell activity following stimulation with interferon (IFN)- and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were performed.
    • Incubation temperature effects on vitamin C's impact on NK cells were evaluated.

    Main Results:

    • Ascorbic acid inhibited human NK cell activity in a dose-dependent manner.
    • Vitamin C did not affect effector/target cell binding.
    • Neither IFN- nor IL-2-induced increases in NK activity were altered by vitamin C.
    • NK cell activity was normal after incubation with vitamin C at 4°C but significantly reduced at 37°C.

    Conclusions:

    • Ascorbic acid directly inhibits NK cell cytotoxic activity.
    • The temperature-dependent inhibition suggests vitamin C's action is related to its radical scavenging properties at physiological temperatures.
    • Vitamin C may inactivate NK cell-derived killing factors, impacting immune surveillance.

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