BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS, MECHANISM OF ACTION AND SOME STRATEGIES TO INCREASE NK CELL BIOMASS

Natural killer (NK) cells are a critical component of the innate immune system, capable of recognizing and eliminating pathogens without needing specific antigen presentation. Although NK cells have been studied for decades, many biological features and therapeutic applications remain unclear. This article aims to provide an overview of NK cell characteristics, mechanisms of action, and strategies for biomass expansion. Based on a synthesis of review articles, the findings indicate that NK cells originate from CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells and are classified into two subsets based on CD56 surface expression levels. They function primarily through cytotoxicity and the secretion of pro- inflammatory cytokines. Biomass expansion strategies include cytokine-based stimulation or feeder cell co-culture. These insights support ongoing research to enhance NK cell functionality and production, laying the groundwork for CAR- NK therapies to strengthen immune defences, particularly against cancer cells.