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Front-Line Immune Cells Mature in 4 Stages, Study Shows
OSU researchers have cracked the site and the stages of development for the last major set of human immune cells. The researchers, led by Michael Caligiuri, MD, director, OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, found that natural killer (NK) cells -- one of the body's front-line defenses against cancer and infections -- mature from progenitor stem cells in four discrete stages. They also found that this happens in secondary lymphoid tissue such as tonsils and lymph glands. Discoveries made decades ago in animals and humans showed that the other two major types of immune cells in the body, T cells and B cells, develop in the thymus and bone marrow, respectively. But, the site and stages of human NK cell development have eluded investigators until now. Understanding the secrets of NK cell development in humans could lead to new therapies for cancer, infection and for patients with immune deficiencies. The study is published in the April 17 issue of the Journal of Experimental Medic ine. "While there is a lot more work to do, this discovery unlocks another of Mother Nature's secrets," Caligiuri says. "We believe it opens new doors to manipulating the human immune system to our benefit."
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