Are Cord Blood Natural Killer Cells A Possible Treatment for Coronavirus?

NK cells are currently being studied for their role in the treatment of certain viruses. It is no secret that an individual’s immunity significantly impacts one’s ability when it comes to fighting off infectious diseases. Thus, there seems to be a growing interest in finding new methods that act as adoptive cellular therapies to address the health of individuals who are immunocompromised.

Individuals with relatively lower immunity, along with recent recipients of stem cell transplants, are at a higher risk of confronting complications by viral, bacterial, or fungal pathogens. Research indicates that NK cells can directly destruct their target via mediated apoptosis and cytotoxic molecules. Similarly, these cells can also alter an affected individual’s immune response to aid in fighting against foreign bodies.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5945539/

A study published in the Oncotarget Journal elaborates on this point by suggesting, “a number of studies have demonstrated that genetic mutations may lead to reduced NK cell numbers or functional NK cell impairment such as mutations affecting genes IL2RG, JAK3, and ADA which cause severe combined immunodeficiency syndromes.” The proposed evidence that several mechanisms activate NK cells during infection is even more interesting. The mechanisms are listed as the influenza nucleoprotein (NP) matrix 1 (M1) antibodies and CD16 that impact the early activation of NK cells post the flu vaccine. Following infection with the influenza virus, NK cells continue to act as innate effectors that adapt to the antiviral responses. Clinical studies on humans and animals are still underway to illustrate that NK cells play a key role in antimicrobial immunotherapy.

Therefore, in view of the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases, the role of NK cells as a potential to combat other types of viruses has been a discussion among many. Our Technology partner, CryoCell International Inc., USA, has also made similar observations.

MD Anderson Cancer Center has been conducting a Phase ll study to determine the effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), found in umbilical cord cells, for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in combination with therapeutic drugs. MSCs derived from cord cells have many therapeutic functions and the same has been explained in many research studies as well. In one such study, umbilical cord-derived MSCs from allogeneic donors are currently being analysed to explore their function in reducing inflammation and their effect on tissue regeneration.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673620303056

In one of the most recent articles on the matter published in The Lancet, it is pointed out that “The isolation and short-term expansion of anti-viral directed T cells has been proven to be a life-saving procedure in patients after autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation with cytomegalovirus infection. Expansion of anti-2019-nCoV-specific T cells, as cellular drugs, could aid to prepare T-cell products for the adjunct treatment of patients with severe 2019-nCoV infection.” The animal studies carried out in mice implies the potential of NK cells in the treatment of infectious diseases. Given all the information we have in hand about NK cells, they continue to look like a safer and more effective alternative as compared to their counterparts. In the race to find an effective treatment for the virus, further research will be required to establish the exact function of these stem cells for treating COVID-19.