Answer the following questions and save your responses in a Microsoft Word document. Provide a scholarly resource to support your answers. Why are natural killer cells considered to be part of the innate immune response? What types of cells do natural killer cells act against? Describe the process whereby natural killer cells kill other cells and the role of macrophages in the process. The Immunologist cautioned Shanice that she may be more susceptible to virally induced cancers. Why did the Immunologist state this? What treatments or other options do Shanice have to counteract the natural killer cell deficiency?

Natural Killer (NK) cells are an essential component of the innate immune system, and deficiencies in these cells can lead to severe immunological disorders and increased susceptibility to infections and cancers. Natural Killer (NK) cells are immune cells that play a critical role in detecting and destroying infected or cancerous cells in the body (Daly et al., 2019). Natural killer cell deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that affects the development or function of these immune cells. As a result, individuals with NK cell deficiency are more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections and have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancers (Quatrini et al., 2021). Symptoms of the disorder may include recurrent infections, chronic inflammation, and increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Treatment options for NK cell deficiency are limited and may include immunoglobulin replacement therapy, antiviral drugs, and stem cell transplantation. Early diagnosis and management of the disorder can help improve outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.

Natural killer (NK) cells are white blood cells that play a critical role in the immune system’s defence against infections and cancer. They are unique in their ability to recognize and kill infected or cancerous cells without prior activation or specific targeting. When a foreign cell is detected, NK cells release toxic granules that kill the targeted cell, destroying it (Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes et al., 2019). However, NK cells cannot eliminate all infected cells alone, where macrophages come into play. Macrophages are another type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests foreign substances, including viruses and bacteria (Keselowsky et al., 2020). In the case of NK cells, macrophages act as a backup by engulfing and clearing the remnants of the dead cells left behind by NK cells. This synergy between NK cells and macrophages is essential for an effective immune response against infections and cancer. The essay will discuss the role of natural killer cells as part of the innate immune response, their activity against different types of cells, the process of how natural killer cells kill other cells, and the role of macrophages in this process, it also explores the immunologist’s caution that Shanice may be more susceptible to virally induced cancers due to her natural killer cell deficiency and lastly, look at the treatment options and other measures available to counteract the deficiency.

Natural Killer Cells are Considered Part of the Innate Immune Response

Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that play an essential role in the immune response against infected or cancerous cells. They are called “natural” killers because they can recognize and kill target cells without prior exposure or activation. NK cells are part of the innate immune response because they are present in the body from birth and do not require prior exposure to a specific pathogen or antigen to recognize and eliminate infected or abnormal cells (Subedi et al., 2022). This is in contrast to adaptive immune responses, which involve activating antigen-specific T and B cells that require prior exposure to a specific pathogen or antigen to become activated. NK cells can recognize and eliminate target cells by using a variety of receptors on their surface, including activating receptors that recognize stress-induced ligands on infected or cancerous cells and inhibitory receptors that recognize MHC class I molecules on healthy cells (Martinez & Moon, 2019). This allows NK cells to distinguish between healthy and abnormal cells and selectively eliminate only those cells that threaten the body. Overall, the innate immune system is the first line of defence against pathogens and abnormal cells and includes a variety of mechanisms and cells, such as NK cells, that can recognize and eliminate threats to the body without the need for prior exposure or activation.

Types of Cells that Natural Killer Cells Act against

Natural killer (NK) cells are a type of white blood cell that play a critical role in the immune system. Unlike other immune cells, which require the recognition of a specific antigen to be activated, NK cells can recognize and attack a broad range of infected, stressed, or cancerous cells without prior exposure. NK cells can act against various types of cells, including virus-infected cells, tumour cells, and even healthy cells that are stressed or undergoing transformation (Cantoni et al., 2020). This is because NK cells are equipped with receptors that detect changes in the surface molecules of cells, such as the lack of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, which are usually present in healthy cells. Infected or transformed cells may downregulate MHC-I expression as an immune evasion strategy, making them susceptible to NK c