Natural killer cell function

Studies of the effects of in vitro exposure to a range of concentrations (encompassing environmentally relevant concentrations of monobutyltin, dibutyltin, and tributyltin) on human natural killer lymphocytes obtained from adult male and female donors revealed the presence of detectable concentrations of the butyltins in all the donors, indicating possible exposure of natural killer cells to butyltins in the blood. It was suggested that the study provided evidence that butyltin compounds significantly inhibit natural killer cell function and possible natural killer cell-mediated potential in humans (Whalen etal, 1999). 

The current practice of using a T-cell-dependent antibody response or natural killer cell function is based on analyses suggesting that these parameters would suffice to identify the vast majority of immunotoxicants.12 However, it is clear that there are exceptions12 and that some immunotoxicants are not effectively identified by these functional tests or by histopathology.3 Thus, it remains possible, particularly if the cost of microarray analysis decreases, that microarrays will eventually prove to be the most practical method available to identify immunotoxicants. 

Yeager, M.P. et al., Effect of morphine and P-endorphin on human Fc receptor-dependent and natural killer cell functions, Clin. Immunol. Immunopathol., 62, 336, 1992. 

Hoskin DW, Mader JS, Furlong SJ, Conrad DM, Blay J (2008) Inhibition of T cell and natural killer cell function by adenosine and its contribution to immune evasion by tumor cells (review). Int J Oncol 32(3) 527-535... 

Dinges DF, Douglas SD, Zaugg L, Campbell DE, McMann JM, Whitehouse WG, Qme, EC, Kapoor SC, Icaza E, Qme MT. Leukocytosis and natural killer cell function parallel neurobehavioral fatigue induced by 64 hours of sleep deprivation. J Clin Investig 1994 93 1930-1939. 

Furthermore, mouse model against Ehrlich s ascites tumour (EAT) [36]. This study showed that the treatment with ama-titano-cene 48 increases the lifespan of EAT-bearing mice from 25% to around 50% in a dose-dependent manner, and myelopoiesis (the formation of bone marrow or of blood cells derived from bone marrow) was not suppressed. Additionally, these experiments showed that ansa-titanocene 48 restores the natural killer cell function, which is reduced due to a dysfunction in EAT, and stimulates the natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. 

Klein TW, Newton C, Friedman H. Inhibition of natural killer cell function by marijuana components. J Toxicol Environ Health 1987 20(4) 321-32. 

Rola-Pleszczynski, M., Bolduc, D. and St-Pierre, S. (1985). The e cts of vasoactive intestinal peptide on human natural killer cell function. J. Immunol. 135, 2569-2573. 

One reasonably thorough study examined immune function in rats orally dosed at up to 400 mg/kg/day 2-butoxyethanol twice after immunization with trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS) (Smialowicz et al 1992). Compared with controls, the 2-butoxyethanol had no adverse effect on antibody production, delayed B type hypersensitivity, natural killer cell function, or splenocyte production of cytokines. 

Judde JG, Breillout E, Clemenceau C, et al. 1987. Inhibition of rat natural killer cell function by carcinogenic nickel compounds Preventive action of manganese. J Natl Cancer Inst 78 1185-1190. 

Whitman, S. C., Rateri, D. L., Szilvassy, S. J., Yokoyama, W., and Daugherty, A. (2004). Depletion of natural killer cell function decreases atherosclerosis in low-density lipoprotein receptor null mice. Arterioscler Thromb. Vase. Biol. 24, 1049-1054. 

Inositol phosphates Inositol hexaphosphate (phytate) Stimulate natural killer cell function, chelate divalent cations Bran, soy foods... 

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