Boosting Immunity and Extending Life: The Power of NMN
Natural Killer (NK) cells, the body's primary line of defense against virus-infected and malignant cells, need copious energy to execute their mission. Insufficient energy supply can hinder the performance of these cells, giving way to unchecked tumor progression. Now, scientists at Shandong University have potentially uncovered a solution to this energy deficit.
As documented in the journal Hepatology, the precursor to Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) known as Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), augments the anti-tumor properties of NK cells. The team led by Guo demonstrated that mice with liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) treated with NMN-boosted NK cells had a nearly triple lifespan and reduced tumor growth. In another experiment, NMN was also found to shrink the tumor size in mice with skin cancer (melanoma).
Empowering Cancer-Fighting Cells with NMN
In their lab study, Guo's team injected liver cancer cells into highly immunodeficient mice to trigger tumor growth. To empower NK cells with increased energy and test the potential of NK cell-based cancer therapy, the scientists treated NK cells with NMN. The injection of NMN-energized NK cells into the cancerous mice resulted in a significant rise in the overall survival rate of these mice.
NAD+ is a crucial molecule that governs the generation of cellular energy (ATP). Through the treatment of NK cells with NMN, NAD+ levels are boosted, facilitating the production of more cellular energy. Thus, with an adequate supply of energy, NK cells can more effectively exterminate tumor cells and inhibit tumor growth.
In a different model of cancer, the researchers injected skin cancer cells under the skin of mice, which were subsequently treated with NMN-enhanced NK cells. The harvested tumors from these mice showed that NMN-boosted NK cells were more proficient in reducing tumor size than their untreated counterparts. This indicates that NMN-treated NK cells can suppress tumor growth more efficiently across a variety of cancer types.
NMN: A Potential Game-Changer in Immune Cell Cancer Therapy?
Immunotherapy, the method of fortifying the immune system to combat cancer, is gaining attention as an alternative to chemotherapy, which utilizes chemicals to fight cancer. NK cells, in particular, are leading the charge in immunotherapeutic solutions due to their safety profile. However, the efficiency of NK cells is often hampered by the factors present in the tumor environment (tumor microenvironment). The work of Guo and his team suggest that NMN could counteract this impediment.
A preceding study that showed NMN's enhancing effect on NK cells lends further credence to this concept. Hence, NMN treatment of NK cells might be the key to addressing the efficiency issues linked with NK cell immunotherapy.
Moreover, beyond destroying virus-infected and cancer cells, NK cells have demonstrated the ability to eliminate senescent cells. This ability is amplified by the neurotransmitter dopamine. Senescent cells, those that no longer divide but secrete inflammation-inducing molecules that can harm tissues, accumulate with age. The inflammation they incite is believed to contribute to numerous age-related diseases.
Thus, targeting senescent cells with NK cells, particularly those enhanced by NMN (and dopamine), could potentially slow the aging process.
Conclusion
Emerging research underscores the promise of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) in improving immunotherapies and extending the lifespan of mice afflicted with cancer. By supplying additional energy to natural killer (NK) cells, NMN empowers the body's primary defense against cancer to operate at an optimum level, combating the disease more effectively.
Though more research is necessary to further explore NMN's potential in human applications, these initial findings bolster the position of NMN as an important molecule in the fight against cancer and possibly age-related diseases.