title: Molecular analysis of the methylprednisolone-mediated inhibition of NK-cell function: evidence for different susceptibility of IL-2- versus IL-15-activated NK cells.
abstract: Steroids have been shown to inhibit the function of fresh or IL-2-activated natural killer (NK) cells. Since IL-15 plays a key role in NK-cell development and function, we comparatively analyzed the effects of methylprednisolone on IL-2- or IL-15-cultured NK cells. Methylprednisolone inhibited the surface expression of the major activating receptors NKp30 and NKp44 in both conditions, whereas NK-cell proliferation and survival were sharply impaired only in IL-2-cultured NK cells. Accordingly, methylprednisolone inhibited Tyr phosphorylation of STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5 in IL-2-cultured NK cells but only marginally in IL-15-cultured NK cells, whereas JAK3 was inhibited under both conditions. Also, the NK cytotoxicity was similarly impaired in IL-2- or IL-15-cultured NK cells. This effect strictly correlated with the inhibition of ERK1/2 Tyr phosphorylation, perforin release, and cytotoxicity in a redirected killing assay against the FcRgamma(+) P815 target cells upon cross-linking of NKp46, NKG2D, or 2B4 receptors. In contrast, in the case of CD16, inhibition of ERK1/2 Tyr phosphorylation, perforin release, and cytotoxicity were not impaired. Our study suggests a different ability of IL-15-cultured NK cells to survive to steroid treatment, thus offering interesting clues for a correct NK-cell cytokine conditioning in adoptive immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Scientifico Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiossone
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cottalasso
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Azzarone
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moretta
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mingari
mesh_terms: D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000276:immunology; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000276:immunology; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K; D055629:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 2; D055628:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell; D050791:STAT Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; C508594:IL2 protein, human; D019409:Interleukin-15; D007376:Interleukin-2; C527085:KLRK1 protein, human; C112837:NCR2 protein, human; C431710:NCR3 protein, human; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K; D055629:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 2; D055628:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell; D050791:STAT Transcription Factors; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D008775:Methylprednisolone