Contribution of natural killer cells to inhibition of angiogenesis by interleukin-12.
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) inhibits angiogenesis in vivo by inducing interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and other downstream mediators. Here, we report that neutralization of natural killer (NK) cell function with antibodies to either asialo GM1 or NK 1.1 reversed IL-12 inhibition of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced angiogenesis in athymic mice. By immunohistochemistry, those sites where bFGF-induced neovascularization was inhibited by IL-12 displayed accumulation of NK cells and the presence of IP-10-positive cells. Based on expression of the cytolytic mediators perforin and granzyme B, the NK cells were locally activated. Experimental Burkitt lymphomas treated locally with IL-12 displayed tumor tissue necrosis, vascular damage, and NK-cell infiltration surrounding small vessels. After activation in vitro with IL-12, NK cells from nude mice became strongly cytotoxic for primary cultures of syngeneic aortic endothelial cells. Cytotoxicity was neutralized by antibodies to IFN-gamma. These results document that NK cells are required mediators of angiogenesis inhibition by IL-12, and provide evidence that NK-cell cytotoxicity of endothelial cells is a potential mechanism by which IL-12 can suppress neovascularization.
Divisions of Hematologic Products and of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. YAO@A1.CBER.FDA.GOV
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Yao
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Sgadari
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Furuke
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Bloom
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Teruya-Feldstein
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Tosato
D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D018664:Interleukin-12