TOX regulates the differentiation of human natural killer cells from hematopoietic stem cells in vitro.
Natural killer (NK) cells act important roles in innate immunity and adaptive immunity. However, the mechanisms governing NK cell development have not been clearly elucidated. Previous studies have shown that an HMG (high-mobility group) protein, TOX, is important for regulating the differentiation program of developing T cells in mice. In this study, we examined the role of TOX in differentiation of human NK cells. Knockdown of TOX in differentiating cells decreased the NK cell population identified by expression of NK surface markers and receptors. In addition, over-expression of TOX enhanced the differentiation of NK cells which give rise to a population showing effector functions of mature NK cells. Moreover, TOX influenced expression of T-bet (T-box expressed in T cells, also as known as Tbx21) during NK cell development. Overall, these results suggest that TOX is required for IL-15-mediated NK cell differentiation and affected expression of T-bet that plays critical roles in NK differentiation and maturation.
Cell Therapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea.
Sohyun
S
Yun
Suk Hyung
SH
Lee
Suk-Ran
SR
Yoon
Mi Sun
MS
Kim
Zheng-Hao
ZH
Piao
Pyung-Keun
PK
Myung
Tae-Don
TD
Kim
Haiyoung
H
Jung
Inpyo
I
Choi
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C558851:TOX protein, human