Researchers Identify A Gene Essential For The Natural Killer Cell Response Against Cancer

Scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have identified a gene called MEF that is essential to the development of Natural Killer cells and Natural Killer T-cells, which play a vital role in the innate immune system. Their findings are published as the cover study in the October 2002 issue of Immunity from Cell Press. "By understanding how the MEF protein promotes the development and function of natural killer cells, we will develop ways to help the innate immune system better recognize and kill cancer cells," said Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., head of the Division of Hematology Oncology and the study's senior author. "We are planning future studies to learn how this can improve bone marrow transplant strategies."

"The differential regulation of perforin gene expression in the innate versus the adaptive immune system provides a selective target for future therapeutic interventions," explained H. Daniel Lacorazza, Ph.D., the study's first author.

###

Note: This study entitled, "The ETS Protein MEF Plays a Critical Role in Perforin Gene Expressio and the Development of Natural Killer and NK-T Cells", is available on line at http://www.Immunity.com.