Gene activating natural killer immune cells identified, mouse model developed

Research lead

A group of scientists led by Hugh Brady of Imperial College London has identified the master gene that causes blood stem cells to be transformed into natural killer (NK) immune cells. The researchers say this could be used boost production of these cells, opening up a potential new way of treating cancer.

At the same time, the researchers knocked out the gene in question, E4bp4, in a mouse, creating the first animal model entirely lacking NK cells, but with all other blood cells and immune cells intact.

This model could be applied to elucidate the role of NK cells in autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis, which it is believed are caused by malfunctioning NK attacking healthy cells.

NK cells, a type of white blood cell, that a major component of the innate immune system. They are continuously generated from blood stem cells in the bone marrow. The E4bp4 gene has been identified as the master gene for NK cell production, making it the primary driver that causes blood stem cells to differentiate into NK cells.

The researchers from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London, with colleagues at University College London and the UK Medical Research Council’s National Institute for Medical Research, aim to upregulate the E4bp4 gene, increasing levels of NK cell production, thus prompting the immune system to act against tumour cells.

Currently, NK cells from donated blood can used to treat cancer, but efficacy is limited because of donor incompatibility.

Brady said, “With our discovery of the NK cell master gene and subsequent creation of our mouse model, we will be able to find out if the progression of [autoimmune] diseases is impeded or aided by the removal of NK cells from the equation. This will solve the often-debated question of whether NK cells are always the good guys, or if in certain circumstances they cause more harm than good.”