NK cells are a major part of the innate immune system, capable of killing other infected cells and cancer cells. A group of scientists from GB have discovered the master gene controlling the differentiation of blood stem-cells into NK cells. The discovery can help fight cancer and aid in the research of autoimmune diseases.
Natural killer (NK) cells, a type of white blood cells, are the front line of the body's immune system. The scientists discovered that the expression of a gene called E4bp4 leads to the differentiation of a blood stem-cell into a NK cell. They have also engineered a transgenic mouse lacking NK cells by knownking out this gene. Some believe that NK cells play a role in autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and MS, the transgenic mouse will help in studying their effect of such diseases.
Since NK cells fight cancerous cells, induction of self NK cells by uplifting the expression of E4bp4 could help fight cancer. Today, NK cells are taken from donors and transplanted into the patients but self NK cells will have a better effect.
This research is another milestone in understanding the factors affecting the differentiation of stem cells into specific cells. While differentiating cells in vitro is beneficial for generating artificial organs, the insights can help understand the opposite direction and will aid in generating pluripotent cells from differentiated cells.
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