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Proinflammatory cytokine overproduction and excessive cell death, coupled with impaired clearance of apoptotic cells, have been implicated as causes of failure to resolve gut inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases. Here we have found that dendritic cells expressing the apoptotic cell-recognizing receptor CD300f play a crucial role in regulating gut inflammatory responses in a murine model of colonic inflammation. CD300f-deficient mice failed to resolve dextran sulfate sodium-induced colonic inflammation as a result of defects in dendritic cell function that were associated with abnormal accumulation of apoptotic cells in the gut. CD300f-deficient dendritic cells displayed hyperactive phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, which stimulated excessive TNF-[alpha] secretion predominantly from dendritic cells. This, in turn, induced secondary IFN-[gamma] overproduction by colonic T cells, leading to prolonged gut inflammation. Our data highlight a previously unappreciated role for dendritic cells in controlling gut homeostasis and show that CD300f-dependent regulation of apoptotic cell uptake is essential for suppressing overactive dendritic cell-mediated inflammatory responses, thereby controlling the development of chronic gut inflammation., Introduction Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are chronic relapsing inflammatory disorders within the intestinal lumen arising from a combination of immunological, environmental, and genetic factors [...]

Chediak‐Higashi disease is a rare disease caused by bi‐allelic mutations in the lysosomal trafficking regulator gene, LYST. Individuals typically present in early childhood with partial oculocutaneous albinism, a bleeding diathesis, recurrent infections secondary to immune dysfunction, and risk of developing hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Without intervention, mortality is high in the first decade of life. However, some individuals with milder phenotypes have attenuated hematologic and immunologic presentations, and lower risk of HLH. Both classic and milder phenotypes develop progressive neurodegeneration in early adulthood. Here we present a remarkable patient diagnosed with Chediak‐Higashi disease at age 67, many decades after the diagnosis is usually established. Diagnosis was suspected by observing the pathognomonic granules within leukocytes, and confirmed by identification of bi‐allelic mutations in LYST, reduced LYST mRNA expression, enlarged lysosomes within fibroblasts, and decreased NK cell lytic activity. This case further expands the phenotype of Chediak‐Higashi disease and highlights the need for increased awareness. Individuals with milder phenotypes may escape early diagnosis, but identification is important for close monitoring of potential complications, and to further our understanding of the function of LYST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in LYST, resulting in enlarged lysosomal compartments in multiple cell types. CHS patients display oculocutaneous albinism and may develop life-threatening hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). While NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity has been reported to be uniformly defective, variable defects in T cell-mediated cytotoxicity has been observed. The latter has been linked to the degree of HLH susceptibility. Since the discrepancies in NK celland T cell-mediated cellular cytotoxicity might result from differences in regulation of cytotoxic granule release, we here evaluated perforin-containing secretory lysosome size and number in freshly isolated lymphocytes from CHS patients and furthermore compared their exocytic capacities. Whereas NK cells from CHS patients generally contained a single, gigantic perforin-containing granule, cytotoxic T cells predominantly contained several smaller granules. Nonetheless, in a cohort of 21 CHS patients, cytotoxic T cell and NK cell granule exocytosis were similarly impaired upon activating receptor stimulation. Mechanistically, polarization of cytotoxic granules was defective in cytotoxic lymphocytes from CHS patients, with EEA1, a marker of early endosomes, mislocalizing to lysosomal structures. The results leads to the conclusion that lysosome enlargement corresponds to loss of distinct organelle identity in the endocytic pathway, which on a subcellular level more adversely affects NK cells than T cells. Hence, vesicular size or numbers do not per se dictate the impairment of lysosomal exocytosis in the two cell types studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome ( HPS) encompasses disorders with abnormal function of lysosomes and lysosome-related organelles, and some patients who develop immunodeficiency. The basic mechanisms contributing to immune dysfunction in HPS are ill-defined. We analysed natural killer ( NK) cells from patients diagnosed with HPS-1, HPS-2, HPS-4, and an unreported HPS subtype. NK cells from an HPS-2 and an unreported HPS subtype share a similar cellular phenotype with defective granule release and cytotoxicity, but differ in cytokine exocytosis. Defining NK cell activity in several types of HPS provides insights into cellular defects of the disorder and understanding of mechanisms contributing to HPS pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells in the immune defense of human body. It examines the influence of cytokine and chemokine secretion on the immune system that limit excessive immune reactions and maintain homeostasis. It also notes that molecular events form the response of cytotoxic lymphocytes by the migration of individual NK cells.

Natural killer (NK) cells form a subset of lymphocytes that play a key role in immuno-surveillance and host defense against cancer and viral infections. They recognize stressed cells through a variety of germline-encoded activating cell surface receptors and utilize their cytotoxic ability to eliminate abnormal cells. Killing of target cells is a complex, multi-stage process that concludes in the directed secretion of lytic granules, containing perforin and granzymes, at the immunological synapse. Upon delivery to a target cell, perforin mediates generation of pores in membranes of target cells, allowing granzymes to access target cell cytoplasm and induce apoptosis. Therefore, lytic granules of NK cells are indispensable for normal NK cell cytolytic function. Indeed, defects in lytic granule secretion lead or are related to serious and often fatal diseases, such as familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) type 2-5 or Griscelli syndrome type 2. A number of reports highlight the role of several proteins involved in lytic granule release and NK cell-mediated killing of tumor cells. This review focuses on lytic granules of human NK cells and the advancements in understanding the mechanisms controlling their exocytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NK cells eliminate cancer and virus-infected cells through their cytolytic activity. The last step in NK-cell cytotoxicity, resulting in exocytosis of granule content, requires fusion of lytic granules with the plasma membrane. Proteins from the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) family mediate membrane fusion events in the cell. Here, we show that NK cells express all members of the R-SNARE subgroup. Two of these R-SNARE proteins, VAMP4 and VAMP7, colocalize with lytic granules during cytotoxic interactions. However, only VAMP7 associates with perforin-containing granules in nonactivated cells, indicating that the two VAMPs have different functions in exocytosis. Using both the tumor NK-cell line YTS and the peripheral NK cells, we show that the disruption of expression of either VAMP4 or VAMP7 inhibits the release of lytic granules and severely impairs NK-cell cytotoxic activity. Furthermore, VAMP7 but not VAMP4 is involved in IFN-γ secretion in NK cells, indicating that VAMP7 is involved in many fusion processes and thus plays a more general function in NK-cell activity than VAMP4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural killer (NK) cells comprise a subset of lymphocytes involved in protection against microbial pathogens and tumors. NK cells recognize host cells that are missing MHC class I molecules and eliminate them through localized delivery of lytic granules. The majority of NK cell effector functions require direct cell-to-cell contact. Binding to a target cell is accompanied by creation of complex structures at the cell–cell interface known as immunological synapses. Recent studies have contributed immensely to the characterization of several types of NK cell immunological synapses and understanding of the variety of processes originating at this intriguing place. The emerging picture illustrates NK cell immune synapses as the sites of highly complex regulation of NK cell activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Natural killer (NK) cells are components of the innate immune system that recognize and kill tumor or virus-infected target cells through specific NK activating receptor/ligand interactions. Lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 and its ligand ICAM-1 are also required to initiate conjugation and actin cytoskeletal remodeling. The NK activating receptors, many of which are expressed on a single NK cell, signal the polarization of the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) together with cytolytic granules to the synapse with target cells. After ligation of any one of these receptors, Src family kinases initiate activation of two signal pathways, the phosphoinositide-3 kinase → ERK2 and the phospholipase Cγ γ JNK1 pathways. Both are required for polarization of the MTOC and cytolytic granules, a prerequisite for killing the targets. Crosslinking of CD28, NKG2D, NKp30, NKp46, NKG2C/CD94, or 2B4 leads to the phosphorylation of both ERK2 and JNK1, although they use different proximal signaling modules. Thus, many, if not all, activating receptors stimulate these two distal pathways, independent of the proximal signaling module used. By contrast, CD2, DNAM-1, and β1-integrin crosslinking do not activate either pathway; they may be costimulatory molecules or have another function in the synapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation of natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity requires adhesion and formation of a conjugate with a susceptible target cell, followed by actin polymerization, and polarization of the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) and cytolytic granules to the NK cell immune synapse. Here, by using the YTS NK cell line as a model, CD28 is shown to be an activating receptor. It signals cytotoxicity in a process dependent on phosphoinositide-3 kinase activation, leading to sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (FRK2) phosphorylation. ERK and phospho-ERK localize to microtubule filaments. Neither conjugation with targets nor actin polymerization is affected by blocking ERK2 activation. However, both polarization of the MTOC and cytolytic granules to the synaptic region and NK cell cytotoxicity are strongly reduced by blocking ERK2 activation. A role for the CD28/CD80 interaction in cytotoxicity of human peripheral NK cells also was established. By contrast, lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) ligation transduces only a transient ERK2 activation and fails to induce killing in YTS cells. Thus, in YTS cells, a CD28 signal is used to polarize the MTOC and cytolytic granules to the NK cell immune synapse by stimulating sustained ERK2 activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare disorder caused by biallelic mutations in the lysosomal trafficking regulator gene (LYST) , resulting in formation of giant lysosomes or lysosome-related organelles in several cell types. The disease is characterized by immunodeficiency and a fatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis caused by impaired function of cytotoxic lymphocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells. Objective We sought to determine the underlying biochemical cause of the impaired cytotoxicity of NK cells in patients with CHS. Methods We generated a human cell model of CHS using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology. We used a combination of classical techniques to evaluate lysosomal function and cell activity in the model system and super-resolution microscopy to visualize F-actin and lytic granules in normal and LYST -deficient NK cells. Results Loss of LYST function in a human NK cell line, NK92mi, resulted in inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity and reproduced other aspects of the CHS cellular phenotype, including the presence of significantly enlarged lytic granules with defective exocytosis and impaired integrity of endolysosomal compartments. The large granules had an acidic pH and normal activity of lysosomal enzymes and were positive for the proteins essential for lytic granule exocytosis. Visualization of the actin meshwork openings at the immunologic synapse revealed that the cortical actin acts as a barrier for secretion of such large granules at the cell-cell contact site. Decreasing the cortical actin density at the immunologic synapse or decreasing the lytic granule size restored the ability of LYST -deficient NK cells to degranulate and kill target cells. Conclusion The cortical actin and granule size play significant roles in NK cell cytotoxic function. We present evidence that the periodicity of subsynaptic actin is an important factor limiting the release of large lytic granules from NK cells from patients with CHS and could be a novel target for pharmaceutical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proinflammatory cytokine overproduction and excessive cell death, coupled with impaired clearance of apoptotic cells, have been implicated as causes of failure to resolve gut inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases. Here we have found that dendritic cells expressing the apoptotic cell-recognizing receptor CD300f play a crucial role in regulating gut inflammatory responses in a murine model of colonic inflammation. CD300f-deficient mice failed to resolve dextran sulfate sodium-induced colonic inflammation as a result of defects in dendritic cell function that were associated with abnormal accumulation of apoptotic cells in the gut. CD300f-deficient dendritic cells displayed hyperactive phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, which stimulated excessive TNF-α secretion predominantly from dendritic cells. This, in turn, induced secondary IFN-γ overproduction by colonic T cells, leading to prolonged gut inflammation. Our data highlight a previously unappreciated role for dendritic cells in controlling gut homeostasis and show that CD300f-dependent regulation of apoptotic cell uptake is essential for suppressing overactive dendritic cell-mediated inflammatory responses, thereby controlling the development of chronic gut inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Receptor CD300b is implicated in regulating the immune response to bacterial infection by an unknown mechanism. Here, we identified CD300b as a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding receptor and determined the mechanism underlying CD300b augmentation of septic shock. In vivo depletion and adoptive transfer studies identified CD300b-expressing macrophages as the key cell type augmenting sepsis. We showed that CD300b, and its adaptor DAP12, associated with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) upon LPS binding, thereby enhancing TLR4-adaptor MyD88- and TRIF-dependent signaling that resulted in an elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine storm. LPS engagement of the CD300b-TLR4 complex led to the recruitment and activation of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K). This resulted in an inhibition of the ERK1/2 protein kinase- and NF-κB transcription factor-mediated signaling pathways, which subsequently led to a reduced interleukin-10 (IL-10) production. Collectively, our data describe a mechanism of TLR4 signaling regulated by CD300b in myeloid cells in response to LPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD16 (FcγRIIIa), the low-affinity receptor for IgG, expressed by the majority of human NK cells, is a potent activating receptor that facilitates Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). ADCC dysfunction has been linked to cancer progression and poor prognosis for chronic infections, such as HIV; thus, understanding how CD16 expression is regulated by NK cells has clinical relevance. Importantly, CD16 cell-surface expression is downmodulated following NK cell activation and, in particular, exposure to stimulatory cytokines (IL-2 or IL-15), likely owing to the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this article, we identify membrane-type 6 (MT6) MMP (also known as MMP25) as a proteinase responsible for CD16 downmodulation. IL-2-induced upregulation of MT6/MMP25 cell-surface expression correlates with CD16 downmodulation. MT6/MMP25, sequestered in intracellular compartments in unstimulated NK cells, translocates to the cell surface after stimulation; moreover, it polarizes to the effector-target cell interface of the CD16-mediated immunological synapse. siRNA-mediated disruption of MT6/MMP25 expression enhances the ADCC capacity of NK cells, emphasizing the important functional role of MT6/MMP25 in the regulation of ADCC activity. Thus, this study uncovers a previously unknown role of MT6/MMP25 in human NK cells, and suggests that inhibition of MT6/MMP25 activity could improve ADCC efficacy of therapeutically administered NK cells that require IL-2 for culture and expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We find that the cell surface receptor Toso is dramatically downregulated by in vitro stimulation of human Τ and NK cells with IL-2 in a STAT5-dependent manner. The fact that IL-2 is known to prime NK and Τ cells for Fas/TNF-mediated activation-induced cell death (AICD) fits nicely with the original and recent descriptions of Toso as an inhibitor of Fas/TNF-induced apoptosis. In support of this possibility, effector memory Τ cells express markedly lower levels of Toso than those of naive Τ cells, indicating that activation in vivo correlates with the downregulation of Toso. Moreover, in vitro activation of memory Τ cells through TCR dramatically downregulates Toso expression compared with that of naive CD4 Τ cells. However, overexpression of Toso in human NK cells and Jurkat Τ cells does not inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis, and, in agreement with other recent reports, Toso clearly functions as an IgM receptor. Unlike CD16, Toso expression by NK cells does not convey cytotoxic potential, but its ligation does trigger intracellular signaling in NK cells. In summary, our data indicate that Toso is a functional IgM receptor that is capable of activating signaling molecules, is regulated by IL-2, and is not inherently an antiapoptotic molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reportedly, CD300f negatively regulates interactions between dendritic and T cells and acts as an anti-inflammatory molecule in a multiple sclerosis mouse model. We found that a CD300f/Fc chimeric protein specifically binds to apoptotic/dead splenocytes and to apoptotic cells from starved or irradiated lymphocytic cell lines, an observation extended to insect cells. CD300f also binds PMA/ionomycin-activated splenocytes and Ag-stimulated T cells, an interaction inhibited by Annexin V. By ELISA, cosedimentation, and surface plasmon resonance using phospholipid-containing liposomes, we show that CD300f preferentially binds phosphatidylserine and requires a metal ion. Exogenous expression of CD300f in cell lines results in enhanced phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. We conclude that expression of CD300f conveys additional capacity to recognize phosphatidylserine to myeloid cells. The result of this recognition may vary with the overall qualitative and quantitative receptor content, as well as signaling capacity of the expressing effector cell, but enhanced phagocytosis is one measurable outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural killer (NK) cells help protect the host against viral infections and tumors. NKG2D is a vital activating receptor, also expressed on subsets of T cells, whose ligands are up-regulated by cells in stress. Ligation of NKG2D leads to phosphorylation of the associated DAP10 adaptor protein, thereby activating immune cells. Understanding how the expression of NKG2D-DAP10 is regulated has implications for immunotherapy. We show that IL-2 and TGF-β1 oppositely regulate NKG2D-DAP10 expression by NK cells. IL-2 stimulation increases NKG2D surface expression despite a decrease in NKG2D mRNA levels. Stimulation with IL-2 results in a small increase of DAP10 mRNA and a large up-regulation of DAP10 protein synthesis, indicating that IL-2-mediated effects are mostly posttranscriptional. Newly synthesized DAP10 undergoes glycosylation that is required for DAP10 association with NKG2D and stabilization of NKG2D expression. TGF-β1 has an opposite and dominant effect to IL-2. TGF-β1 treatment decreases DAP10, as its presence inhibits the association of RNA polymerase II with the DAP10 promoter, but not NKG2D mRNA levels. This leads to the down-regulation of DAP10 expression and, as a consequence, NKG2D protein as well. Finally, we show that other γc cytokines act similarly to IL-2 in up-regulating DAP10 expression and NKG2D-DAP10 surface expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening disorder associated with autosomal recessive variants in genes required for perforin-mediated lymphocyte cytotoxicity. A rapid diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment. Although defective cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) function causes pathogenesis, quantification of natural killer (NK)-cell exocytosis triggered by K562 target cells currently represents a standard diagnostic procedure for primary HLH. We have prospectively evaluated different lymphocyte exocytosis assays in 213 patients referred for evaluation for suspected HLH and related hyperinflammatory syndromes. A total of 138 patients received a molecular diagnosis consistent with primary HLH. Assessment of Fc receptor-triggered NK-cell and T-cell receptor (TCR)-triggered CTL exocytosis displayed higher sensitivity and improved specificity for the diagnosis of primary HLH than routine K562 cell-based assays, with these assays combined providing a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98.3%. By comparison, NK-cell exocytosis after K562 target cell stimulation displayed a higher interindividual variability, in part explained by differences in NK-cell differentiation or large functional reductions after shipment. We thus recommend combined analysis of TCR-triggered CTL and Fc receptor-triggered NK-cell exocytosis for the diagnosis of patients with suspected familial HLH or atypical manifestations of congenital defects in lymphocyte exocytosis., (Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), permitting only noncommercial, nonderivative use with attribution.)

X-linked reticulate pigmentary disorder (XLPDR, Mendelian Inheritance in Man #301220) is a rare syndrome characterized by recurrent infections and sterile multiorgan inflammation. The syndrome is caused by an intronic mutation in POLA1, the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase-α (Pol-α), which is responsible for Okazaki fragment synthesis during DNA replication. Reduced POLA1 expression in this condition triggers spontaneous type I interferon expression, which can be linked to the autoinflammatory manifestations of the disease. However, the history of recurrent infections in this syndrome is as yet unexplained. Here we report that patients with XLPDR have reduced NK cell cytotoxic activity and decreased numbers of NK cells, particularly differentiated, stage V, cells (CD3-CD56dim). This phenotype is reminiscent of hypomorphic mutations in MCM4, which encodes a component of the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase complex that is functionally linked to Pol-α during the DNA replication process. We find that POLA1 deficiency leads to MCM4 depletion and that both can impair NK cell natural cytotoxicity and show that this is due to a defect in lytic granule polarization. Altogether, our study provides mechanistic connections between Pol-α and the MCM complex and demonstrates their relevance in NK cell function.

Efficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) is essential for immune homeostasis. Phospholipids exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells, such as phosphatidylserine, supply important "eat-me" signals. Liposomes are lipid bilayer vesicles that can be generated from one or several types of phospholipids of interest. Thus, these vesicles offer versatility, flexibility, and, importantly, a three-dimensional structure for studying the interaction between lipids and their receptors as well as the lipid-receptor interaction-mediated signaling events controlling efferocytosis by cells like professional phagocytes. Here, we describe methods to prepare liposomes, perform liposome-based lipid-receptor binding assays, use liposomes to block efferocytosis, and utilize liposome-coated beads as apoptotic cell surrogates for phagocytosis. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

Aberrant nucleic acids generated during viral replication are the main trigger for antiviral immunity, and mutations that disrupt nucleic acid metabolism can lead to autoinflammatory disorders. Here we investigated the etiology of X-linked reticulate pigmentary disorder (XLPDR), a primary immunodeficiency with autoinflammatory features. We discovered that XLPDR is caused by an intronic mutation that disrupts the expression of POLA1, which encodes the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase-α. Unexpectedly, POLA1 deficiency resulted in increased production of type I interferons. This enzyme is necessary for the synthesis of RNA:DNA primers during DNA replication and, strikingly, we found that POLA1 is also required for the synthesis of cytosolic RNA:DNA, which directly modulates interferon activation. Together this work identifies POLA1 as a critical regulator of the type I interferon response.

Engulfment of apoptotic cells is predominantly executed by phagocytes via the recognition of "eat me" signals like phosphatidylserine (PS). Various PS-specific receptors exist on phagocytes, including Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK receptor tyrosine kinases (TAMs), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain containing 1 and 4 (TIM1/4), and the newly identified CD300 family. The aim of the present auto-commentary is to highlight recent findings regarding the Cd300lf and Cd300lb receptors and their emerging roles in the development of autoimmune disease.

Reportedly, CD300f negatively regulates interactions between dendritic and T cells and acts as an anti-inflammatory molecule in a multiple sclerosis mouse model. We found that a CD300f/Fc chimeric protein specifically binds to apoptotic/dead splenocytes and to apoptotic cells from starved or irradiated lymphocytic cell lines, an observation extended to insect cells. CD300f also binds PMA/ionomycin-activated splenocytes and Ag-stimulated T cells, an interaction inhibited by Annexin V. By ELISA, cosedimentation, and surface plasmon resonance using phospholipid-containing liposomes, we show that CD300f preferentially binds phosphatidylserine and requires a metal ion. Exogenous expression of CD300f in cell lines results in enhanced phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. We conclude that expression of CD300f conveys additional capacity to recognize phosphatidylserine to myeloid cells. The result of this recognition may vary with the overall qualitative and quantitative receptor content, as well as signaling capacity of the expressing effector cell, but enhanced phagocytosis is one measurable outcome.

Natural killer (NK) cells help protect the host against viral infections and tumors. NKG2D is a vital activating receptor, also expressed on subsets of T cells, whose ligands are up-regulated by cells in stress. Ligation of NKG2D leads to phosphorylation of the associated DAP10 adaptor protein, thereby activating immune cells. Understanding how the expression of NKG2D-DAP10 is regulated has implications for immunotherapy. We show that IL-2 and TGF-β1 oppositely regulate NKG2D-DAP10 expression by NK cells. IL-2 stimulation increases NKG2D surface expression despite a decrease in NKG2D mRNA levels. Stimulation with IL-2 results in a small increase of DAP10 mRNA and a large up-regulation of DAP10 protein synthesis, indicating that IL-2-mediated effects are mostly posttranscriptional. Newly synthesized DAP10 undergoes glycosylation that is required for DAP10 association with NKG2D and stabilization of NKG2D expression. TGF-β1 has an opposite and dominant effect to IL-2. TGF-β1 treatment decreases DAP10, as its presence inhibits the association of RNA polymerase II with the DAP10 promoter, but not NKG2D mRNA levels. This leads to the down-regulation of DAP10 expression and, as a consequence, NKG2D protein as well. Finally, we show that other γ(c) cytokines act similarly to IL-2 in up-regulating DAP10 expression and NKG2D-DAP10 surface expression.

Natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity involves the formation of an activating immunological synapse (IS) between the effector and target cell through which granzymes and perforin contained in lytic granules are delivered to the target cell via exocytosis. Inhibition of nonmuscle myosin II in human NK cells with blebbistatin or ML-9 impaired neither effector-target cell conjugation nor formation of a mature activating NK cell IS (NKIS; formation of an actin ring and polarization of the microtubule-organizing center and cytolytic granules to the center of the ring). However, membrane fusion of lytic granules, granzyme secretion, and NK cell cytotoxicity were all effectively blocked. Specific knockdown of the myosin IIA heavy chain by RNA interference impaired cytotoxicity, membrane fusion of lytic granules, and granzyme secretion. Thus, myosin IIA is required for a critical step between NKIS formation and granule exocytosis.

Background: Many receptors rely on the appropriate activation of nuclear factor (NF) kappa B to induce cellular function. This process depends critically on the phosphorylation of the inhibitor of NF-kappa B (I kappa B) by the I kappa B kinase. This targets I kappa B for ubiquitination and degradation, allowing NF-kappa B to translocate to the nucleus, where it can direct transcription. Hypomorphic human mutations affecting one I kappa B kinase component, the NF-kappa B essential modulator (NEMO), result in impaired signaling from receptors required for ectodermal development and immune function. Male subjects with these mutant NEMO molecules have an X-linked syndrome known as ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency, which is characterized by severe infections, with herpesviruses, bacteria, and mycobacterial susceptibility., Objective: We sought to genetically and biochemically characterize a patient with a mutant NEMO molecule without ectodermal abnormalities., Methods: We evaluated NEMO in a patient who had immunodeficiency and atypical mycobacterial infection but normal ectoderm., Results: We identified a novel NEMO mutant causing immunodeficiency without ectodermal dysplasia. The mutation, which altered the exon 9 splice site, was present in cells of ectodermal and hematopoetic origin and resulted in a heterogeneous mixture of mutant and wild-type cDNA species. Immunologic function was variably impaired, with reduced CD40-induced B-cell proliferation, partially reduced NF-kappa B p65 nuclear translocation, and variable Toll-like receptor-induced TNF production. This variability might be explained by an inconsistent ratio of mutant to wild-type NEMO. The lack of any ectodermal phenotype, however, suggested a separation in the hematopoetic and ectodermal function of NEMO that leads to NF-kappa B activation., Conclusion: Mutation of the gene encoding NEMO can result in immunodeficiency without ectodermal dysplasia.