NK cells require an immunological synapse to kill cancer cells and these synapses have been shown to have membranous protrusions. Here the authors use cutting-edge imaging and other techniques to show that tumor serine metabolism results in a reduction in NK cell sphingomyelin content and a lack of these membranous protrusions, which could contribute to a failure to kill cancer cells.
- Xiaohu Zheng
- Zhuanghao Hou
- Haiming Wei