Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that provide cytokines critical for early host defense against pathogens. One subset of human NK cells (CD56(bright)) constitutively expresses the high-affinity interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor and produces immunoregulatory cytokines. Here, we demonstrate that CD56(bright) NK cells are present in human lymph nodes and that endogenous T cell-derived IL-2, acting through the NK high-affinity IL-2 receptor, costimulates CD56(bright) NK cells to secrete IFN-gamma. Thus, adaptive immunoregulators influence innate cytokine production, which in turn may influence the developing antigen-specific immune response. These data show a dynamic interaction between innate and adaptive human lymphocytes and emphasize the importance of studying interactions between immune components to understand the immune response as a whole.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Adult
-
Antigens, CD / analysis
-
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
-
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
-
CD56 Antigen / analysis*
-
Cells, Cultured / immunology
-
Coculture Techniques
-
Humans
-
Immunity, Cellular*
-
Immunity, Innate*
-
Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
-
Interferon-gamma / metabolism*
-
Interleukin-2 / metabolism
-
Interleukin-2 / physiology*
-
Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects*
-
Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
-
Lymph Nodes / cytology*
-
Lymph Nodes / immunology
-
Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects*
-
Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
-
Models, Immunological
-
Receptors, Interleukin-2 / drug effects
-
Receptors, Interleukin-2 / physiology
-
Tetanus Toxoid / pharmacology
Substances
-
Antigens, CD
-
CD56 Antigen
-
Interleukin-2
-
Receptors, Interleukin-2
-
Tetanus Toxoid
-
Interferon-gamma