First Author | Su HC | Year | 1994 |
Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 153 |
Issue | 12 | Pages | 5674-81 |
PubMed ID | 7989765 | Mgi Jnum | J:21901 |
Mgi Id | MGI:69801 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.153.12.5674 |
Citation | Su HC, et al. (1994) IL-2-dependent NK cell responses discovered in virus-infected beta 2-microglobulin-deficient mice. J Immunol 153(12):5674-81 |
abstractText | In vivo NK cell responses to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus were studied in CD8+ T cell-deficient mice. On day 7 after infection, dramatically elevated splenic NK cell activities were observed in both beta 2-microglobulin-negative (beta 2-m-/-) mice deficient in CD8+ T cells and anti-CD8-treated C57BL/6 animals. The enhanced responses could be attributed to increased numbers of activated NK1.1+CD3- cells. The day 7 NK cell responses in beta 2-m-/- mice, but not in normal C57BL/6 animals, were cyclosporin A sensitive and coincided with IL-2 production and high affinity IL-2R expression on NK cells. Proof that IL-2 played an essential role in day 7 responses was provided by the observation that IL-2-/- x beta 2-m-/- mice lacked the late NK cell activation. Taken together, these results showed that NK cells can be activated and expanded by an IL-2-dependent pathway. Because these responses can only be measured in the absence of CD8+ T lymphocytes, an exciting model of networking between T and NK cells in response to viruses is postulated. |