Schmidt-Wolf, "Clinical studies applying cytokine-induced
killer cells for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma," Clinical and Developmental Immunology, vol.
Hypercytolytic activity of hepatic natural
killer cells correlates with liver injury in chronic hepatitis B patients.
109) Senile bone marrow loses its ability to produce fresh naive immune cells, which are launched into the bloodstream to differentiate into mature naive T and natural
killer cells.
Dr Siobhan Quenby from the University of Liverpool and the Liverpool Women's Hospital, a leading researcher into natural
killer cells, said they attack the growing embryo and stop it from implanting properly in the womb, leading to miscarriage.
NKp44, a novel triggering surface molecule specifically expressed by activated natural
killer cells, is involved in non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted tumor cell lysis.
In addition, depression has been linked to immune function deficits, such as decreased natural
killer cell activity, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the American College of Psychiatrists.
The effect of interleukin-15 on the expression of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors on peripheral natural
killer cells in human.
Also see Evans 2002 (3): "Our findings provide the first evidence that depression may alter the function of killer lymphocytes in HIV-infected women and suggest that depression may decrease natural
killer cell activity and lead to an increase in activated CD8 T lymphocytes and viral load" (quote from the abstract).
Natural
killer cells are an essential part of the immune system, killing viruses and leukaemia cells, said Cornelia Ulrich, senior author.
It has shown superior ability in animal models to induce high levels of immune
killer cells (CD8+) and antibodies.
Dr Siobhan Quenby, who carried out pioneering research at Liverpool Women's Hospital, said: "Everyone has
killer cells to protect them from infection and cancer.
The investigators suspect that blocking SHIP may affect the response of natural
killer cells.
