Understand the Role of Natural Killer

Abstract

Problem statement: Immunosuppression is a common approach for pathogens or cancer to escape from immune system of the infected host. Some of the antimicrobe or anticancer drugs may also weaken the body immune system. Among various types of immune cell, natural killer cells are the key component of the innate immunity which plays an important role in first line defense against cancer and microbe infections. Thus, understand the role of Natural killer cell can help to design a successful natural killer cell base therapy in cancer and infectious disease therapy. Approach: Natural killer cell unik activation/inhibition ligand, cytolytic granules and proinflammatory cytokiens offered a specific killing mechanism toward cancer or infected cell target. These specific activation can be achieved in the present of immunomodulator such as cytokines (IL-2 and IL-12) or mitogens (plant extract such as Rhaphidophora korthalsii methanol extract). Results: Key rule of Natural killer cell base immunotherapy is to maintain enough activated Natural killer cell number in the infected host. Conclusion/Recommendations: Future study should expand the clinical use of in vivo or ex-vivo Natural killer cell base therapy especially in cancer treatment.