Natural killer activating receptors trigger interferon γ secretion from T cells and natural killer cells

Ofer Mandelboim*, Sally Kent, Daniel M. Davis, S. Brian Wilson, Taku Okazaki, Richard Jackson, David Hafler, Jack L. Strominger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

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 and possibly other cytokines. It represents a signal for cytokine secretion alternative and/or augmentative to that through the T cell receptor.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)3798-3803
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume95
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 31 Mar 1998
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Natural killer activating receptors trigger interferon γ secretion from T cells and natural killer cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this