However, these attackers also require tactics: in order to destroy a target cell, the attackers need to smuggle their weapons, known as granzymes, into the afflicted cell. ❋ Unknown (2008)
By binding to CD3 co-receptor on the T cell, the antibody activates the immune system T cell and instigates the delivery of the T cell cytolytic proteins, perforins and granzymes, into the cancer cells.
Our previous studies suggest that several effector mechanisms, such as perforin, granzymes, or complements, may be involved in the killing of cancer cells. ❋ Anne Sanders (2010)
Enzymes are injected that dissolve the mitochondria that power cell functions, and finally, granzymes are injected that chop up the DNA in the nucleus like a molecular Pac-Man. ❋ Unknown (2010)
Since the membrane pores created by perforin holes are fairly small and are quickly closed again by the besieged cell, most scientists favoured the latter theory that the granzymes 'main mode of entry into a cell was membrane transport. ❋ Unknown (2008)
Despite more than twenty years of research, however, it remained unclear as to which of these pathways is used to smuggle the lethal amount of granzymes into a cell. ❋ Unknown (2008)
To determine what path the lethal dose of granzymes takes to enter a cell is no trivial matter. ❋ Unknown (2008)
There are two possible ways in which the granzymes gain entry into the cells under attack. ❋ Unknown (2008)
"We were also able to show that the pores are large enough to allow enough granzymes into the cell before the holes are resealed." ❋ Unknown (2008)
However, granzymes also bind to the surface of the attacked cells and are then internalized by membrane inversions and formation of small vesicles. ❋ Unknown (2008)
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology have now shown that minute pores on the cell surface open the door to the granzymes for a short period of time. ❋ Unknown (2008)
The scientists proved this with artificially manipulated granzymes which no longer bound to membranes and which therefore could not enter the cell via membrane transport. ❋ Unknown (2008)
Contrary to the generally accepted view, the membrane holes now seem to be the main point of entry for granzymes. ❋ Unknown (2008)
But the body puts up a fight: specialized cells in the immune system smuggle small molecules (granzymes) into cancer cells and those body cells that have fallen prey to viruses. ❋ Unknown (2008)
Perforin might thus provide the granzymes with the openings they require. ❋ Unknown (2008)
But how do the granzymes gain entry into the cell to begin with? ❋ Unknown (2008)
