There are many kinds of immune cells in our body. These immune cells work together, or share tasks, to attack cancer cells, bacteria, virus-infected cells, and more. Among them, the cells that play a very strong immune role are NK (Natural Killer, natural killer) cells.
NK cells selectively attack by recognizing cancer cells or abnormal cells infected by viruses.
On the surface of abnormal cells such as cancer cells, there are very few specific proteins such as MHC Class I, and NK cells sense this and approach abnormal cells. NK cells close to abnormal cells secrete a substance called perforin, which perforates the abnormal cell membrane, injects an enzyme called granzyme into the hole, and kills abnormal cells. Through the activation of this NK cell, a considerable number of cancer cells that occur in our body every day can be removed, so that our body can remain healthy in diseases such as cancer.
It is reported that the ability of NK cells increases with the increase in the number of NK cells, but the activity is more affected than the number of NK cells. Unfortunately, NK cell activity declines with age, as can various other physical causes. Of course, new drugs that increase the activity of NK cells are being developed recently, but the best way is to preserve NK cells when they are young and healthy. The wise choice of collecting and storing NK cells as soon as possible will protect everyone's life and health.