title: Cytokine release of human NK cells solely triggered with Poly I:C.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in innate immunity as effectors against tumor cells and pathogen-infected cells. Our data show for the first time that NK cells produce high levels of cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in response to stimulation with the artificial RNA analogue Poly I:C without additional cytokines or contact to other types of immune cells. An incubation period of 48 h is necessary to induce cytokine release by Poly I:C. These data suggest Poly I:C as a competent direct activator and immunomodulator of NK cell functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wulff
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pries
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wollenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000072640:Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051196:Toll-Like Receptor 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007369:Interferon Inducers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D051196:Toll-Like Receptor 3; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C452815:IFIH1 protein, human; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases; D000072640:Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1; D011070:Poly I-C