Open AccessNatural killer activating receptors trigger interferon γ secretion from T cells and natural killer cells
Author(s) -
Ofer Mandelboim,
Sally C. Kent,
Daniel M. Davis,
S. Brian Wilson,
Taku Okazaki,
Robert W. Jackson,
David A. Hafler,
Jack L. Strominger
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.95.7.3798
Subject(s) - natural killer t cell , biology , major histocompatibility complex , cytotoxic t cell , microbiology and biotechnology , cd8 , antigen presenting cell , interleukin 21 , mhc class i , secretion , interleukin 12 , natural killer cell , interferon gamma , interferon , immune system , immunology , t cell , endocrinology , biochemistry , in vitro
Proliferation of human CD4+ αβ T cells expressing a natural killer cell activating receptor (NKAR) has been shown to be enhanced, particularly in response to low doses of antigen, if the target cells present appropriate human class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Here, we show that NKAR also enhance proliferation and killing of target cells by subsets of CD8+ αβ and CD8+ γδ T cells, as well as by NK cells. Strikingly, interferon γ secretion from all of these types of lymphocytes was markedly increased by interaction of the NKAR with their MHC class I ligands, independently of enhancement of proliferation. Thus, the recognition of class I MHC molecules by NKAR on both T cells and NK cells may provide a regulatory mechanism that affects immune responses through the secretion of interferon γ and possibly other cytokines. It represents a signal for cytokine secretion alternative and/or augmentative to that through the T cell receptor.