NK cells rapidly reject allogeneic bone marrow in the spleen through a perforin- and Ly49D-dependent, but NKG2D-independent mechanism.
We have used a sensitive and specific in vivo killing assay to monitor the kinetics, anatomic location and mechanisms controlling NK-mediated rejection of Balb/c bone marrow by C57BL/6 natural killer (NK) cells. We find that NK killing of fully allogeneic bone marrow is a rapid, highly efficient process, leading to substantial rejection of transplanted marrow within 6 h of transplant and elimination of 85% of the transplanted cells within 2 days. NK-mediated rejection occurred predominantly in the spleen, with sparing of rejection in the bone marrow and lymph nodes. Rejection was dependent on Perforin gene function, but was independent of interferon-gamma. Finally, rejection of Balb/c bone marrow by B6 NK cells required signaling through the Ly49D receptor, but occurred despite blockade of NKG2D, which distinguishes these results from previous studies using semiallogeneic transplant pairs. These results identify NK cells as highly active mediators of bone marrow rejection, and suggest that inhibiting NK function early during transplantation may increase the efficiency of engraftment and allow successful engraftment of limiting doses of donor bone marrow.
Hamby
K
K
The Emory Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Trexler
A
A
Pearson
T C
TC
Larsen
C P
CP
Rigby
M R
MR
Kean
L S
LS
D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D046528:Chimerism; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D055650:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily A; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D055630:Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D000099264:Connexin 50
D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D017630:Connexins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D055650:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily A; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D055630:Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell; D000099264:Connexin 50; C527092:Klra4 protein, mouse; C527086:Klrk1 protein, mouse