title: Distinction between IL-13+ and IFN-gamma+ natural killer cells and regulation of their pool size by IL-4.
abstract: The hypothesis that distinct subsets of NK cells produce type 2 and type 1 cytokines in resting naive lymphocytes was tested analyzing cytokine production at the single-cell level. Two non-overlapping IL-13+ and IFN-gamma+ subsets were identified in adult and neonatal NK cells. IL-2 maintained their relative proportion. Accumulation of the former was induced by IL-4, but not IL-13, and inhibited by IL-12; that of the latter was induced by IL-12 and inhibited by IL-4 and IL-13. IL-4 induced preferential proliferation of the pre-existing peripheral IL-13+ cells, whereas IL-12 had minimal effect on proliferation of the IFN-gamma+ NK cells. The IL-13+ cells (CD161+ only) are phenotypically distinct from the IFN-gamma+ ones (CD56+) before and after culture under any condition analyzed, and produce IL-13 in response to NK-sensitive target cells and PMA+Ca(2+) ionophore, whereas also FcgammaRIIIA and IL-2+IL-12 stimulate IFN-gamma production. These data define the existence and regulation of two distinct resting peripheral NK cell subsets producing type 1 and type 2 cytokines, and suggest possible roles for IL-13+ NK cells in allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, 233 S. 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Loza
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zangrilli
authors.forename: Bice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perussia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018793:Interleukin-13; D007476:Ionophores; D015847:Interleukin-4; D000001:Calcimycin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate