title: Recombinant LPG3 Stimulates IFN-Γ and TNF-Α Secretion by Human NK Cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in early stages of innate immune responses against viral and tumoral attacks. Activation of NK cells by leishmaniasis results in secretion of cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which enhance the phagocytosis and clearance of parasite. Lipophosphoglycan 3 (LPG3), the Leishmania homologous with GRP94 (glucose regulated protein 94), a member of HSP90 family, contributes to LPG assembly as the most abundant macromolecule on the surface of Leishmania promastigotes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We purified NK cells from healthy individuals (n=10) using magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) technology. Purified NK cells were co-incubated with different concentrations of recombinant LPG3 (rLPG3), and its N-terminal (NT) and C-terminal (CT) fragments. Finally, the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α by NK cells were measured by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recombinant LPG3 but not its fragments (CT and NT), could significantly enhance the production of TNF-α by NK cells (P<0.05). Moreover, rLPG3, CT, and NT fragments were markedly stimulated the secretion of IFN-γ by NK cells (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Leishmania LPG3 antigen could effectively activate NK cells, in vitro. Leishmania LPG3 participates in the innate immunity against leishmaniasis and thereby improves the effective parasite destruction. However, its efficiency should be tested in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Dept. of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sanaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rasolzadeh
authors.affiliation: Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Dept. of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haji Fatahaliha
authors.affiliation: Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Dept. of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosseini
authors.affiliation: Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Dept. of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jafari
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Abolfazl
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miahipour
authors.affiliation: Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Dept. of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sevil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sadreddini
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Dept. of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Babalo
authors.affiliation: Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Dept. of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Samadi Kafil
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ; Dept. of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yousefi
keywords: LPG3; Leishmania; Natural killer cell; TLR