The response of human natural killer cells to interleukin-2.
Natural killer cells play a key role in the defence of organisms against virus infections and in the control of tumor onset. Interleukin-2 is a multifunctional inflammatory cytokine able to activate natural killer cells, essentially inducing cell proliferation, lymphokine-activated-killer cell generation and cytokine production. Here we discuss some signaling events generated by interleukin-2 in the cell nucleus of primary human natural killer cells, specifically focusing on the lipid signal transduction and the induction of the cyclic adenosine-5'-monophosphate response element binding protein transcription factor. The implications of these nuclear events in the response of natural killer cells to interleukin-2 are also discussed.
Department of Anatomy, Pharmacology and Forensic Medicine, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy.
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P
Mirandola
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C
Ponti
G
G
Gobbi
I
I
Sponzilli
E
E
Melloni
M
M
Vitale
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000502:physiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D054799:Phospholipase C beta; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012694:Serine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014178:Translocation, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010738:Type C Phospholipases / Q000502:physiology
D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007527:Isoenzymes; D012694:Serine; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D010738:Type C Phospholipases; D054799:Phospholipase C beta