title: 2B4(CD244)-mediated activation of NK cells reduces metastases of B16F10 melanoma in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Natural killer (NK) cells are a third population of lymphocytes that can kill certain tumor cells. This killing is regulated by signals received through activating and inhibitory receptors. 2B4 (CD244), a member of the CD2 subset of Immunoglobulin superfamily, was identified as an activating receptor on NK cells. Interaction of 2B4 with its ligand CD48 or anti-2B4 mAb stimulates NK cell cytolytic function as well as production of INF-gamma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A murine tumor model was used to study the in vivo role of 2B4. 2B4 and CD48 were activated in vivo by injecting anti-2B4 and anti-CD48 monoclonal antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Activation of 2B4 or CD48 resulted in a five-fold reduction in tumor metastasis. IFN-gamma knockout mice had a two-fold increase in metastasis as compared to wild-type after 2B4 activation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Activation of 2B4 and CD48 reduces metastasis of B16F10 melanoma cells and this anti-tumor effect involves both cytolytic function and cytokine production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Immunology, University of North Texas Health Science Centre at Fort Worth, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA.
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Swapnil V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Vaidya
authors.forename: Ronald H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Goldfarb
authors.forename: Porunelloor A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Mathew
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000556:secondary; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology*; D000071176:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018106:CD28 Antigens; C490007:Cd244a protein, mouse; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D000071176:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family; D007371:Interferon-gamma