Interleukin 2 activation of natural killer cells rapidly induces the expression and phosphorylation of the Leu-23 activation antigen.
IL-2 potentiates both growth and cytotoxic function of T lymphocytes and NK cells. Resting peripheral blood NK cells can respond directly to rIL-2, without requirement for accessory cells or cofactors, and enhanced cytotoxicity can be measured within a few hours after exposure to this lymphokine. In this study, we describe an activation antigen, Leu-23, that is rapidly induced and phosphorylated after IL-2 stimulation of NK cells and a subset of low buoyant density T lymphocytes. Previously, it has been uncertain whether all NK cells or only a subset are responsive to IL-2. Since within 18 h after exposure to IL-2, essentially all NK cells express Leu-23, these findings indicate that all peripheral blood NK cells are responsive to stimulation by IL-2. The Leu-23 antigen is a disulfide-bonded homodimer, composed of 24-kD protein subunits with two N-linked oligosaccharides. Appearance of this glycoprotein on NK cells is IL-2 dependent and closely parallels IL-2-induced cytotoxicity against NK-resistant solid tumor cell targets.
Lanier
L L
LL
Becton Dickinson Monoclonal Center, Inc., Mountain View, California 94043.
Buck
D W
DW
Rhodes
L
L
Ding
A
A
Evans
E
E
Barney
C
C
Phillips
J H
JH
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000099192:CD69 Antigens