Immune system cells use membrane nanotubes

LONDON, March 10 (UPI) -- British scientists say they've discovered immune cells can ensnare tumor and other dangerous cells by using bungee-like membrane nanotubes.

The Imperial College London researchers said they determined the natural killer immune cells use the nanotubes to ensure dangerous cells, such as those infected with bacteria or viruses, cannot escape.

It's been known immune system cells can kill target cells by attaching to them and then passing toxic molecules into their target. However, sometimes the target cells move away from the immune system cells to escape being killed.

The new study shows the natural killer cells can keep hold of their target cells by snaring them with a bungee-like tube, called a membrane nanotube. The cells then either draw the target cells back into direct contact to be killed, or kill them from a distance.

"Natural killer cells are cells that are really good at killing tumors and virus-infected cells," said Professor Daniel Davis, the study's corresponding author. "It was thought they kill these diseased cells only by sticking to them tightly for several minutes. We think they may also use these nanotubes to kill them from a distance," he added.

The research appears in the U.S.-published Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.