Ultrastructural characterization of effector-target interactions for human neonatal and adult NK cells reveals reduced intercellular surface contacts of neonatal cells.
Limitations in neonatal natural killer (NK) cell responses may be associated with the less efficient newborn capacity to solve viral infections. Although these limitations have been extensively reported they are poorly characterized. Making use of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I negative cell line K562, the parameters required for the initial events involved in neonatal NK/target cell interactions were determined and compared with adult blood NK cell/target cell interactions. Ultrastructural characterization of effector-target cell interactions revealed that neonatal NK cells are more strongly activated upon contact with K562 cells than adult blood NK cells. Furthermore, the neonatal capacity to establish contacts, in particular extensive contacts, is significantly reduced when compared with adult blood NK cells. However, no significant differences were found either in the cell surface expression levels or activation state of LFA-1, which could account for the reduced intercellular contacts. Because extensive contacts are crucial for effective immunologic synapse formation, these data suggest that a limited or nonsustained positive signaling may occur on neonatal NK cells, restricting their NK cell-mediated lysis capacity.
Ribeiro-do-Couto
Laura M
LM
Laboratory for Vaccine Research, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. laura_ribeiro2001@yahoo.co.uk
Poelen
Martien
M
Hooibrink
Berend
B
Dormans
Jan A M A
JA
Roholl
Paul J M
PJ
Boog
Claire J P
CJ
D000328:Adult; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000254:growth & development*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020014:K562 Cells; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1