Trace elements and natural killer activity

Each cell of human body contains from 10(5) to 10(6) ions of different trace elements which may perform the important functions of regulation of cell metabolic system activity, genomic apparatus. However, the problem of trace elements influence on immune response, cytokine system, expression of components of the major histocompatibility complex and natural killer (NK) activity is not well studied. Some trace elements (Li, Zn, Mg, Se, Ge, Fe, etc.) show their effect on the level of intracellular messenger systems, inducing the production and potentiating the action of the great number of cell cytokines stimulating NK. Immune cytokines provide efficiency of NK-lysis and promote the decrease of tumor cell resistance to it. Interactions of trace elements and antitumor immunity is a perspective field of investigation.