Activated T cells inhibit NK cell-mediated tumour rejection.
Previous studies have described the regulation of some T-cell subsets toward natural killer (NK) cells. Naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+) T regulatory cells can inhibit NK cell cytotoxicity, while activated interleukin-2 (IL-2) secreting T cells can stimulate NK cells. However, little is known about the impact of the integrity T-cell population on the final outcome of NK cell cytotoxicity. We thus examined the possible role of activated T cells in affecting NK cell cytotoxicity by mixed lymphocyte co-cultures in vitro and a B16 melanoma tumour model in vivo. In our study, activated T cells were found to be able to significantly inhibit NK cell cytotoxicity in vitro and blunt NK cell-mediated tumour rejection in vivo. The inhibition of NK cell function is a cell-cell contact dependent way. Results suggest that activated T cells may play an important role in limiting NK cell functions, which might be very significant for the design of biotherapy against tumour or infection in future.
Wang
X-J
XJ
Chongqing Key Laboratory for Disease Proteomics, Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, State Key Lab of Trauma, Burns and combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Hu
J
J
Yuan
J
J
Peng
Y-M
YM
Gui
L
L
He
W-F
WF
Tan
J
J
Luo
G-X
GX
Wu
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D007157:Immunologic Surveillance; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*