title: Natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity: differential use of TRAIL and Fas ligand by immature and mature primary human NK cells.
abstract: Mature natural killer (NK) cells use Ca2+-dependent granule exocytosis and release of cytotoxic proteins, Fas ligand (FasL), and membrane-bound or secreted cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) to induce target cell death. Fas belongs to the TNF receptor family of molecules, containing a conserved intracytoplasmic "death domain" that indirectly activates the caspase enzymatic cascade and ultimately apoptotic mechanisms in numerous cell types. Two additional members of this family, DR4 and DR5, transduce apoptotic signals upon binding soluble TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) that, like FasL, belongs to the growing TNF family of molecules. Here, we report that TRAIL produced or expressed by different populations of primary human NK cells is functional, and represents a marker of differentiation or activation of these, and possibly other, cytotoxic leukocytes. During differentiation NK cells, sequentially and differentially, use distinct members of the TNF family or granule exocytosis to mediate target cell death. Phenotypically immature CD161(+)/CD56(-) NK cells mediate TRAIL-dependent but not FasL- or granule release-dependent cytotoxicity, whereas mature CD56(+) NK cells mediate the latter two.
authors.affiliation: Jefferson Medical College, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kimmel Cancer Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zamai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Azzoni
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Alnemri
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perussia
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D007378:Interleukins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019014:fas Receptor; D002118:Calcium