Natural Killer Cells may be high or low in a variety of conditions. Scientists, therefore, suspect that they might contribute to some diseases and prevent others. Learn how low or high levels might impact health and what may change the levels of these cells in the body.<\/p>\n
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Natural Killer (NK) cells are described as a type of toxic lymphocytes<\/a> that are critical to the immune system [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n NK cells are produced in the bone marrow<\/strong>, lymph nodes<\/strong>, spleen<\/strong>, tonsils<\/strong>, and thymus<\/strong>, from where they then enter into the circulation [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Scientists think that they help quickly degrade stressed cells – such as tumor cells and virus-infected cells. NK cells are hypothesized to become active around 3 days after infection [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Studies suggest that NK cells develop long-lived and highly-specific memories to a variety of targets [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n These cells are extremely diverse, as are genetic factors impacting them [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n According to recent scientific reviews, people who are genetically-deficient in NK cells have regular viral infections and die prematurely [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Individuals deficient in NK cells are prone to early phases of herpesvirus infection [R<\/a>]. Since NK cells help to fight viruses like HIV, their deficiency may also worsen outcomes in HIV-positive patients [R<\/a>]<\/p>\n Additionally, mice with poor NK cell function seem to be more prone to carcinogen-triggered cancers [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Scientists think that circulating NK cells remain in their resting phase until they are activated by cytokines. Once activated, they invade tissues with pathogen-infected cells and secrete cytokines such as interferons [R<\/a>] and TNF-a<\/a> to fight off the invader [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n NK cells also appear to release a membrane-disrupting protein, perforin, which causes cell death of the target cell. Perforin got its name because its thought to perforates the \u201cskin\u201d of the pathogen [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n If your goal is to lower or increase your NK cells because you have serious health problems – including autoimmunity or severe allergies – it\u2019s important to talk to your doctor, especially if your symptoms are significantly impacting your daily life.<\/p>\n Your doctor should diagnose and treat any underlying conditions causing your symptoms.<\/strong><\/p>\n Some studies covered in this section deal with associations only, which means that a cause-and-effect relationship hasn\u2019t been established.<\/strong> Others rely on small sample sizes. The same goes for the associations listed under the \u201cLow Natural Killer Cells\u201d section.<\/p>\n Also, even if a study did find that high NK cells contribute to a certain condition like obesity or asthma, they are highly unlikely to be the only cause.<\/p>\n Complex health issues always involve multiple possible factors – including body and brain chemistry, environment, health status, and genetics – that may vary from one person to another.<\/p>\n The following have been associated with elevated NK cells in limited studies:<\/p>\n<\/a>Function<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Activation of NK Cells<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>When to See a Doctor<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Elevated Natural Killer Cells<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Associated Conditions<\/span><\/h3>\n
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