Natural Killer Cells and the Immune System
An Overview of the Immune System:
The marvellous array of deftly interacting cells that defend our body against invaders arise from a few precursor cells that first appear at about 9 weeks after conception. From that point on, the cells of the immune system go through a continuously repeated cycle of growth and development and become fully competent at around 6 months of age after our birth.
The parents of our immune system are referred to as stem cells. These are the cells upon which the immune system depends to both reproduce itself and give rise to the many specialized lineage's that spring from it; the B cells. Macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, helper T cells. Etc.
The cells of the immune system are not isolated in a single body space or arranged in the form of a single organ. Instead, the majority of them exist as potentially mobile entities unattached to other cells. This characteristic is crucial to their function. Every minute of everyday, war is waged within our body. The combatants are too small to see. Some, like the infamous HIV virus, are so small that 230 million would fit on the period at the end of this sentence. Yet, they employ tactics that can vanquish the much larger cells upon which our immune system is based. Usually, we never even notice the battles within us.
We have evolved legions of defenders, specialized cells that silently destroy the unseen enemy. Sometimes these warriors mistake harmless invaders such as pollen for deadly foes and trigger an allergic response. Occasionally, some of our own cells begin the mutinous uncontrolled proliferation characteristic of cancer and manage to evade the surveillance of our body's defensives, millions of attempts are repelled. We sleep securely at night trusting the invisible vigilantes of our immune system.
The science and practice of immunology traces back to 1721 to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. She introduced England to a Turkish process of inoculation with unmodified smallpox virus in an attempt to stem the ravages of the normal course of the disease. Her techniques were quite crude and as many as her patients died as survived, but those that survived were immune to the disease forever.
Our immune system is not controlled by any central organ such as the relationship to our brain to our nervous system. Rather it has developed and functions as a kind of biological democracy where the individual members achieve their ends through an information network of biochemical substances called cytokins.
Many different variables in our environment and lifestyle can effect the efficiency of its function. Our immune system accounts for approximately 1% of our bodies 100 trillion cells. These defender cells originally arise in our bone marrow and mature in other parts of our body, the thymus, spleen and lymph glands. The different lineage's which develop all share one common objective; to identify and destroy all substances, living, inert, that are recognized as foreign to our body. This includes cancer cells that challenge our immune system everyday for each and every one of us.
NK Cells:
NK cells were discovered in the 1970's and constitute up to 15% of the total lymphocyte population in normal healthy subjects. They are capable of killing a broad range of tumor and virus infected cells. Depressed NK cell activity and depressed NK cell populations are associated with the development and rapid progression of cancer, hepatitis, AIDS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, various immunodeficiency syndromes and certain autoimmune diseases.
NK cells have important biological functions. Recently it was realised that the NK cell participates either directly or indirectly in multiple networks relating to development, regulation and communication within the immune system. The NK cell can be viewed as a remarkably efficient effector cell that is not only equipped for killing virally infected tumor cells, but is also capable of rapid responsiveness to exogenous or endogenous signals by production of a variety of cytokines and other factors involved in interactions between immune and nonimmune cells. The biological role of NK cells is not restricted to immune surveillance against infectious agents or tumor metastases. Rather, it is a much more broadly based involvement in a variety of essential biological processes ranging from reproduction to coping with daily stress
Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with the distinct morphological features of large granular lymphocytes. They are distinguishable from T or B lymphocytes by their surface phenotype, cytokine profile and the ability to mediate spontaneous cytotoxicity, without prior sensitisation, against a broad range of targets. NK cells mainly circulate in the blood, where they account for 5 to 15% of circular lymphocytes. They can also be found under physiological conditions in several nonlymphoid tissues, e.g. lung or intestinal mucosa. In some organs, e.g. the liver, NK cells represent up to 45% of tissue- infiltrating lymphocytes.
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NK cells now appear to present the first line of defense against metastatic spread of tumors. In numerous studies, low NK cell populations were correlated with greater and more rapid spread of tumors with shorter host longevity and with greater morbidity. NK cell activity and NK cell count are NOT the same. NK cells may be present in sufficient numbers, but unless they are activated they are ineffective in doing their job. Decreased NK cell activity is linked to the development and progression of many diseases.
The Immune Response:
There are Four critical phases to the immunological response and lifestyle issues and some dietary supplements can influence them.
During phase one, the offending invader is identified and recognized as being foreign to our body and then quickly consumed by hungry roving macrophages as little PAC men that are found in all of the tissues in our body and circulating round in our blood stream looking for their next free lunch. They seize upon this foreign agent, engulf it, eat it and release a series of cytokines that then trigger the second phase of the immunological reaction.
In phase two, these biochemical substances then activate the helper T cells that have the job of coordinating the counterattack on a body-wide scale. Most interactions of the cell mediated immunological (CMI) response take place through the activity of the T-cell lymphocytes. They are a very special type of white blood cell that receives "training" mostly in the thymus, a small gray organ cloaked in mystery that sits behind the breastbone and above the heart. ( The T in t-cell stands for thymus derived.) This unimpressive little gland swells in size from birth to puberty and then begins to shrink. As the clones of T-cells mature in the thymus they learn to recognize specific targets (antigens) for example of a virus or bacterium.
The thymus pumps out T-cells by the tens of millions every day. Even though only a few of them may recognize any one antigen, the collective scouting force is vast enough to identify almost all of the nearly infinite variety of antigens that mother nature can produce.
As previously mentioned, to start this powerful CMI response the T-4 (helper) cells receive a signal (lymphokine) from little Pac-man like cells called macrophages that eat everything that they consider to be foreign to our system. The T-4 cells can also be directly stimulated to take action by interacting with the antigens. These helper cells are unarmed but once stimulated they send urgent biochemical signals (lymphokines) to a special squadron of T-cells called the NK (natural killer cells).
The T cells then begin to multiply and release other cytokines that further stimulate more T cells, B-cells and natural killer cells. As the number of B cells increase, the helper T cells signal them to begin producing antibodies, thus, bringing us to the third stage of the immunological response.
In the third stage, the antibodies are circulating around in our blood stream and are attaching to the foreign virus or bacteria causing them to be more quickly engulfed by macrophages or killed by natural killer cells. Like all T-cells, NK cells are trained to recognize one specific enemy ,such as a virually infected cell or a cancer cell. When called to action by the T-4 cells the sleeping squadron replicates into an army with a single-minded task. The NK cells are lethal. When they attach to a target cell, a biochemical cascade is triggered that punctures the cell membrane, thus killing the hapless bacterium, virally infected cell or cancer cell. They are a critical line of defence and often our only line of defense in cases of HIV, EBV or CMV infection.
The fourth stage of the immunological response begins when the circulating antibodies no longer have a target and the suppresser T cells call a truce to the immunological reaction bringing about a new balance, or homeostasis, in our system. Special cells of the immune system remember what had transpired so that if again attacked by the same organism our body could respond much faster. These cells also release special little molecules called transfer factor to help keep the pump primed, so to speak.
Thus what may have been a 10 day bout from our first exposure to that particular virus, in future may be a cold that lasts no more than 24-72 hours.
Unfortunately, all does not always go well, chronic stress, nutritional deficiencies, exposure to toxins and vaccines can all suppress our NK cells leaving us (and our animals) more vulnerable to infection or cancer.
Happily, there is an answer.
Immune-Modulation:
Immune Modulation is a new and key step in supporting immune function. This can include a number of different substances, depending upon the situation, including: transfer factor (obtained in specially prepared colostrum/whey extracts), Astragalus, Arabinogalactan, Viscum extracts, Vitamin C, iodine, lactoferrin, certain amino acids, neurotransmitter hormones and the prohormone DHEA.
Transfer factors are small protein molecules that can passively transfer immunity from one mammal to another by stimulating cell-mediated immunity.
Biomune OSF Plus
The potential benefits available through colostrom and whey are being discussed everywhere. Claims of benefit from the consumption of Pure, Clean Colostrom or Filtered Whey are everywhere. Indeed, the benefit of breast-feeding infants has covered magazine racks for years.
Bovine colostrom is touted as the new source of health. Bovine colostrom is now a commodity. Buyers and sellers from all over the world are being brought together for the purpose of creating a new marketable commodity. New companies have emerged to sell this commodity in various forms of aftermarket marketing.
Though bovine colostrom has some demonstrated benefit, by itself bovine colostrom is not a silver bullet. It is simply a another commodity like wheat or milk. As with all commodities, all are not created equal and do not contain equal characteristics. Quantum Research, Inc and Dr. Jesse Stoff have demonstrated that high quality, highly controlled extracts can be combined with other nutritional ingredients to create significant products that can bring changes in the performance of the immune system.
Quantum Research, Inc. is able to create the amazing extracts used in the products for several reasons.
They use a proprietary technology protected by a totally unique and protected patented process.
They utilize a privately managed dairy herd that originated over thirty years ago.
They access nearly forty years of experience in bovine colostrom collection and study. Dr Stoff and Dr. Olsztyen have used these extracts for nearly twenty years in medical practice.
A clinical study by Dr. Jesse Stoff MD, MFHOM, FACLM, utilizing Biomune OSF PlusÔ with over 107 patients with chronic immune system diseases resulted in an average increase of 1,267 percent of NK cell activity.
The average NK cell activity in a healthy population is 150-225. The average US population NK cell activity is 20 - 50.
The average monthly increase by patients was 28.25 Lyctic units.
The diseases presented by the study participants were: cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, AIDS, HIV, Hepatitis C, allergies, colitis, and chronic infection.
In our animal population we are seeing a huge increase in chronic immune diseases, primarily as a result of over vaccination. A diet of commercial kibble, and exposure to toxins, heavy metals, petrochemicals, radiation and stress all contribute to lowering of NK cell activity. Strange viruses and bacteria are also running rampant through our animal populations.
Treatment of chronic diseases with Biomune OSF plus has proven that animals NK cell activity is increased and diseases can be put into remission. Along with a fresh, raw natural diet and other natural therapies Biomune OSF plus cannot be overdosed, but is excreted in the urine.
For humans who wish to have their NK cell activity measured, a lab in Los Angeles provides this service in conjunction with your physician. Unfortunately, for our animal population this service is not yet available. I have inquired with Dr. Jean Dodds DVM on the possibility of this procedure for our animal friends. It is expensive to set up, and other technical data are still about 5 years away.
With all the viruses coming down the pike; prevention for ourselves and our companion animals by increasing the activation of our NK cells is the key to a healthy immune system.
Scientific studies have proven that low NK cell activity is present in all illness. NK cell function appears to be a biological marker for disease and is important indicator for declining or improving health.
If you wish further information on Biomune OSF Plus or would like to obtain product you can telephone : 1-604-921-7784
References:
1. Human Natural Killer Cells in Health and Disease Theresa L. Whiteside and Ronald B. Herberman
Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh
2. The Use of Dialyzable Bovine Colostrom Extract in Conjuncton with a Holistic Treatment Model For Natural Killer Cell Stimulation in Chronic Illness
By: Jesse A. Stoff, MB, MFHOM, FACLM
