title: NK cells of human secondary lymphoid tissues enhance T cell polarization via IFN-gamma secretion.
abstract: Human secondary lymphoid tissues harbor NK cells that predominantly secrete cytokines in response to activation. Here, we demonstrate that these immunoregulatory NK cells assist in the Th1 polarization of primary immune responses, induced by dendritic cells. Tonsilar, but not peripheral blood NK cells enhanced the expansion of IFN-gamma-producing CD4+ T cells via their superior ability to produce IFN-gamma. Addition of IFN-gamma increased Th1 polarization while antibody blocking of this cytokine abolished NK cell-dependent Th1 polarization. Our data suggest that NK cells in secondary lymphoid organs assist priming of Th1 cells via cytokine secretion and this effect should be harnessed during vaccination against viruses and tumors.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Viral Immunobiology and Christopher H. Browne Center for Immunology and Immune Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Morandi
authors.forename: Gwenola
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bougras
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferlazzo
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Münz
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007369:Interferon Inducers; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011070:Poly I-C