title: Regulation of HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecule expression on natural killer T cells by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.
abstract: A subset of mononuclear cells present in most tissues coexpresses receptors of both natural killer (NK) and T cells. Although linked to antiviral immunity, the function of these putative NKT cells is uncertain. We present evidence that human CD56+ DR- NKT cells exhibit hybrid adaptive and innate immune functions. These cells spontaneously lysed tumour cell targets and upon engagement of T-cell antigen receptors secreted the cytokines interferon-gamma and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Conversely, GM-CSF treatment transformed the NKT cells into dendritic cells, inducing rapid expression of HLA-DR and the co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. The ability to stimulate tetanus toxoid-specific responses from naïve T cells was acquired within 3 days of activating CD56+ NKT cells with GM-CSF. These results suggest a potential role for NKT cells in the initiation and control of primary immunity during the acute phase of infection.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702-5011, USA.
authors.forename: Kamal U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Saikh
authors.forename: Teri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kissner
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Ulrich
mesh_terms: D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000276:immunology; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D019002:CD56 Antigen; C497964:CD86 protein, human; D016207:Cytokines; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor