Premium
Signalling through NK1.1 triggers NK cells to die but induces NK T cells to produce interleukin‐4
Author(s) -
Alexzander Asea,
Joan SteinStreilein
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2567.1998.00422.x
Subject(s) - interleukin 21 , interleukin 12 , janus kinase 3 , biology , natural killer t cell , microbiology and biotechnology , interleukin 15 , lymphokine activated killer cell , monoclonal antibody , flow cytometry , cd3 , antibody , t cell , cytotoxic t cell , interleukin , immunology , immune system , cytokine , cd8 , in vitro , biochemistry
In vivo inoculation of specific antibody is an accepted protocol for elimination of specific cell populations. Except for anti‐CD3 and anti‐CD4, it is not known if the depleted cells are eliminated by signalling through the target molecule or through a more non‐specific mechanism. C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with anti‐natural killer (NK1.1) monoclonal antibody (mAb). Thereafter spleen cells were harvested, stained for both surface and intracellular markers, and analysed by flow cytometry. As early as 2 hr post inoculation, NK cells were signalled to become apoptotic while signalling through the NK1.1 molecule activated NK1.1 + T‐cell receptor (TCR) + (NK T) cells to increase in number, and produce interleukin‐4 (IL‐4). Anti NK1.1 mAb was less efficient at signalling apoptosis in NK cells when NK T‐cell deficient [β2‐microglobulin β2m‐deficient] mice were used compared with wild type mice. Efficient apoptotic signalling was restored when β2m‐deficient mice were reconstituted with NK T cells. NK‐specific antibody best signals the apoptotic process in susceptible NK cells when resistant NK T cells are present, activated, and secrete IL‐4.