A role for NF-kappa B activation in perforin expression of NK cells upon IL-2 receptor signaling.
Optimal NK cell development and activation as well as cytolytic activity involves IL-2R beta signals that also up-regulate expression of the pore-forming effector molecule perforin. Although the Jak/Stat pathway and specifically Stat5 transcription factors are required to promote many of the respective downstream events, the role of additional signaling pathways and transcription factors remains to be clarified. This report investigates the role of NF-kappa B activation for perforin expression by NK cells. It is demonstrated that IL-2-induced up-regulation of perforin in primary NK cells and in a model cell line is blocked by two pharmacological agents known to inhibit NF-kappa B activation. Direct evidence for the activation of the NF-kappa B pathway by IL-2R signals in NK cells involves activation of the IKK alpha kinase, inhibitory protein kappa B alpha degradation, nuclear translocation of p50/p65 complexes, and ultimately, transcriptional activation of the perforin gene via an NF-kappa B binding element in its upstream enhancer. Taken together, these observations strongly suggest that IL-2R signals can activate a pathway leading to NF-kappa B activation in NK cells and that this pathway is involved in the control of perforin expression.
Cancer Prevention and Research Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
Jun
J
Zhou
Jin
J
Zhang
Mathias G
MG
Lichtenheld
Gary G
GG
Meadows
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology*; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D007376:Interleukin-2; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D054353:Perforin