Cutting edge: IL-15-independent NK cell response to mouse cytomegalovirus infection.
NK cells respond rapidly during viral infection. The development, function, and survival of NK cells are thought to be dependent on IL-15. In mice lacking IL-15, NK cells are found in severely decreased numbers. Surprisingly, following infection of IL-15- and IL-15Ralpha-deficient mice with mouse CMV, we measured a robust proliferation of Ly49H-bearing NK cells in lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs capable of cytokine secretion and cytolytic function. Remarkably, even in Rag2(-/-) x Il2rg(-/-) mice, a widely used model of NK cell deficiency, we detected a significant number of NK cells 1 wk after mouse CMV infection. In these mice we measured a >300-fold expansion of NK cells, which was dependent on recognition of the m157 viral glycoprotein ligand and IL-12. Together, these findings demonstrate a previously unrecognized independence of NK cells on IL-15 or other common gamma signaling cytokines during their response against viral infection.
Sun
Joseph C
JC
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0414, USA.
Ma
Averil
A
Lanier
Lewis L
LL
D000818:Animals; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D053631:Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit / Q000502:physiology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000502:physiology; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018146:Muromegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D053631:Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit; D019409:Interleukin-15; D018664:Interleukin-12