Maria (Masha) Babak: How fasting reshapes NK cell biology to enhance anti-tumor immunity
Maria (Masha) Babak, Head of The Babak Lab and an Assistant Professor at the City University of Hong Kong, reshared a post by The Babak Lab on LinkedIn, adding:
“This exciting study reveals how fasting reshapes NK cell biology to enhance anti-tumor immunity — offering exciting insights into the intersection of metabolism, immunity, and cancer therapy.
A must-read for anyone interested in innovative approaches to boosting immune responses!”
Quoting The Babak Lab‘s post:
“Scientific Wednesdays: How Fasting Boosts Anti-Tumor Immunity Through NK Cells.
New research published in Immunity reveals how fasting can reshape the immune system to fight cancer more effectively. The study, titled “Fasting reshapes tissue-specific niches to improve NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity,” uncovers the remarkable ways cyclic fasting enhances natural killer (NK) cell function to combat both solid and metastatic tumors.
Key Insights:
- NK Cell Redistribution: Fasting triggers NK cells to migrate from peripheral tissues to the bone marrow, a process mediated by trafficking molecules like S1PR5 and CXCR4.
- Metabolic Rewiring: NK cells undergo metabolic changes, including increased fatty acid metabolism driven by elevated fatty acids, glucocorticoids, and the enzyme CPT1A. This rewiring is critical for NK cell survival and function.
- Enhanced Anti-Tumor Activity: In the bone marrow, NK cells are primed by interleukin (IL)-12-expressing myeloid cells, leading to increased production of IFN-γ, a key molecule in anti-tumor immunity.
These insights could pave the way for integrating fasting or fasting-mimicking diets into cancer treatment protocols, offering a promising synergy between lifestyle interventions and immunotherapy.“
Fasting reshapes tissue-specific niches to improve NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity.
Authors: Rebecca B. Delconte, et al.
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