Activated, but not resting, T cells can be recognized and killed by syngeneic NK cells

J Immunol. 2003 Apr 1;170(7):3572-6. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.170.7.3572.

Abstract

We demonstrate that IL-2-activated NK cells or lymphokine-activated killer cells recognize and kill syngeneic CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells that have been activated by APCs. Induction with APC required TCR-specific Ag, and lysis was perforin mediated. Brefeldin A, which disrupts protein transport, inhibited the sensitivity induced by activation. In BALB/c, expression of NKG2D ligands correlated with lysis and could be inhibited by brefeldin A. As well, addition of anti-NKG2D mAb to a killing assay completely abrogated lysis. Transduction of mouse NKG2D into a human NK cell line, YTSeco, conferred upon it the ability to kill activated BALB/c T cells, indicating that NKG2D is necessary for recognition. Our data provide a basis for studying a role for NK cells in T cell regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Interphase / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Ligands
  • Lymphocyte Activation* / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / metabolism
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic / physiology
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / physiology
  • Species Specificity
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism

Substances

  • KLRK1 protein, human
  • Klrk1 protein, mouse
  • Ligands
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • minor H antigen H60