Lymphokine-activated killer cell
Encyclopedia
In cell biology
, a lymphokine-activated killer cell (also known as a LAK cell) is a white blood cell
that has been stimulated to kill tumour cells. If lymphocyte
s are cultured in the presence of Interleukin 2
, it results in the development of effector cells which are cytotoxic to tumour cells.
, are capable of lysing fresh, non-cultured cancer
cells, both primary and metastic. LAK cells respond to these lymphokine
s, particularly IL-2, by lysing tumor cells that were already known to be resistant to NK cell activity.
The mechanism of LAK cells is distinctive from that of natural killer cell
s because they can lyse cells that NK cells cannot. LAK cells are also capable of acting against cells that do not display the major histocompatibility complex
, as has been shown by the ability to cause lysis
in non-immunogenic, allogeneic and syngeneic tumors. LAK cells are specific to tumor
cells and to not display activity against normal cells.
in mice and humans, but there is very high toxicity
with this treatment.
Cell biology
Cell biology is a scientific discipline that studies cells – their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they contain, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. This is done both on a microscopic and molecular level...
, a lymphokine-activated killer cell (also known as a LAK cell) is a white blood cell
White blood cell
White blood cells, or leukocytes , are cells of the immune system involved in defending the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials. Five different and diverse types of leukocytes exist, but they are all produced and derived from a multipotent cell in the bone marrow known as a...
that has been stimulated to kill tumour cells. If lymphocyte
Lymphocyte
A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell in the vertebrate immune system.Under the microscope, lymphocytes can be divided into large lymphocytes and small lymphocytes. Large granular lymphocytes include natural killer cells...
s are cultured in the presence of Interleukin 2
Interleukin 2
Interleukin-2 is an interleukin, a type of cytokine immune system signaling molecule, which is a leukocytotrophic hormone that is instrumental in the body's natural response to microbial infection and in discriminating between foreign and self...
, it results in the development of effector cells which are cytotoxic to tumour cells.
Mechanism
It has been shown that lymphocytes, when exposed to Interleukin 2Interleukin 2
Interleukin-2 is an interleukin, a type of cytokine immune system signaling molecule, which is a leukocytotrophic hormone that is instrumental in the body's natural response to microbial infection and in discriminating between foreign and self...
, are capable of lysing fresh, non-cultured cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
cells, both primary and metastic. LAK cells respond to these lymphokine
Lymphokine
Lymphokines are a subset of cytokines that are produced by a type of immune cell known as a lymphocyte. They are protein mediators typically produced by T cells to direct the immune system response by signalling between its cells...
s, particularly IL-2, by lysing tumor cells that were already known to be resistant to NK cell activity.
The mechanism of LAK cells is distinctive from that of natural killer cell
Natural killer cell
Natural killer cells are a type of cytotoxic lymphocyte that constitute a major component of the innate immune system. NK cells play a major role in the rejection of tumors and cells infected by viruses...
s because they can lyse cells that NK cells cannot. LAK cells are also capable of acting against cells that do not display the major histocompatibility complex
Major histocompatibility complex
Major histocompatibility complex is a cell surface molecule encoded by a large gene family in all vertebrates. MHC molecules mediate interactions of leukocytes, also called white blood cells , which are immune cells, with other leukocytes or body cells...
, as has been shown by the ability to cause lysis
Lysis
Lysis refers to the breaking down of a cell, often by viral, enzymic, or osmotic mechanisms that compromise its integrity. A fluid containing the contents of lysed cells is called a "lysate"....
in non-immunogenic, allogeneic and syngeneic tumors. LAK cells are specific to tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
cells and to not display activity against normal cells.
Cancer Treatment
LAK cells, along with the administration of IL-2 have been experimentally used to treat cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in mice and humans, but there is very high toxicity
Toxicity
Toxicity is the degree to which a substance can damage a living or non-living organisms. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell or an organ , such as the liver...
with this treatment.