Difference Between NK Cells and T Cells
Natural Killer (NK) cells are key players in the innate immune system, responding rapidly to viral infections and tumors without prior sensitization. Unlike T cells, they do not rely on antigen recognition but instead assess activating and inhibitory signals to determine whether to attack. NK cells eliminate threats by releasing perforin and granzymes, which induce cell death. They lack a T-cell receptor (TCR) and are identified by the markers CD56 and CD16.
In contrast, T cells are part of the adaptive immune system, requiring antigen recognition through the TCR-CD3 complex to launch a targeted response. They provide immune memory, enabling the body to recognize and respond more effectively to previously encountered infections or malignancies. This ability ensures a precise and sustained attack on infected or abnormal cells.
NK cell therapy involves extracting, expanding, and reinfusing highly potent NK cells into the patient. These enhanced NK cells are primed to seek out and attack cancer cells through:
- Direct Cytotoxicity: NK cells release perforin and granzymes to induce cancer cell death.
- Cytokine Production: NK cells secrete immune-boosting cytokines like interferon-gamma to enhance the body’s response.
- Targeting Stress Signals: Cancer cells often exhibit stress markers that NK cells recognize and eliminate.
- Direct Cytotoxicity: NK cells release perforin and granzymes to induce cancer cell death.
- Cytokine Production: NK cells secrete immune-boosting cytokines like interferon-gamma to enhance the body’s response.
- Targeting Stress Signals: Cancer cells often exhibit stress markers that NK cells recognize and eliminate.
