Natural Killer (NK) Cell Functionality after human Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): protocol of a prospective, longitudinal study
BMC Neurology, 2016 · DOI: 10.1186/s12883-016-0681-5 · Published: August 26, 2016
Simple Explanation
Natural killer (NK) cells are important for immunity, especially against infections. This study looks at how spinal cord injury (SCI) affects NK cell function. SCI can lead to a weakened immune system, called SCI-IDS, making people more prone to infections. The study aims to understand if SCI impairs NK cell function and how this relates to the severity of the injury. The study will compare NK cell function in SCI patients, patients with vertebral fractures but no SCI, and healthy individuals to differentiate the effects of SCI from general trauma and surgery.
Key Findings
- 1The primary endpoint of the study is CD107a expression by NK cells (cytotoxicity marker) 8–12 weeks following SCI.
- 2Secondary endpoints are the NK cell’s TNF-α and IFN-γ production by the NK cells 8–12 weeks following SCI.
- 3The study aims to identify functional NK cells impairment as a component of lymphocyte-mediated non-specific immunity at different stages after injury.
Research Summary
Practical Implications
Infection Prevention
A deeper understanding of SCI-IDS can enable strategies for prevention of infections.
Prognostic Markers
Monitoring the functional status of NK cells may reveal prognostic markers for individuals at high risk of developing infections.
Therapeutic Approaches
Findings may suggest novel preventive therapeutic approaches for SCI patients, including vaccination.
Study Limitations
- 1Patients with extensive polytrauma or TBI are to be excluded.
- 2Exclusion of patients with conditions that chronically induce changes on the immune system limits the number of possible confounding factors.
- 3The estimated frequency of patients initially treated with methylprednisolone in the recruiting centres is expected to be between 5 and 10 %.