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TCR-independent cytokine stimulation induces non-MHC-restricted T cell activity and is negatively regulated by HLA class I.
Eur. J. Immunol. 36, 2347-2358 (2006)
Recent evidence suggests that the functional status of T cells activated independently from their TCR differs substantially from classical MHC-restricted T cells. Here, we show that TCR-independent, short-term stimulation via the common gamma-chain of the IL-2/IL-15 receptor induces non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity and sustained cytokine secretion in purified CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. NK-like cytotoxicity is directed against MHC class I-negative targets and can be inhibited by classical and non-classical HLA class I molecules. Known inhibitory receptors, such as CD85j (ILT2) and leukocyte-associated Ig-like receptor-1, are not responsible for this HLA-mediated inhibition. NK-like cytotoxicity can be costimulated by NKG2D (CD314) triggering, but 2B4 (CD244) and DNAM-1 (CD226) are not involved. NK-like T cells display an activated phenotype and secrete various cytokines, including IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-5, IL-13 and MIP-1beta. Under normal conditions, HLA class I-mediated inhibition may function as a safety mechanism to prevent unbalanced cytokine production and effector killing mechanisms by T cells that were activated independently from their TCR. Non-MHC-restricted activity represents a functional status rather than a property of distinct T cell subpopulations. Thus, cytokine-induced, non-MHC-restricted T cells may be relevant in immune responses against tumors showing aberrant MHC expression through their capacities of cytokine production and direct tumor cell eradication.
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Publication type
Article: Journal article
Document type
Scientific Article
Keywords
cytokines; cytotoxic T cells; MHC; natural killer cells
ISSN (print) / ISBN
0014-2980
e-ISSN
1521-4141
Journal
European Journal of Immunology
Quellenangaben
Volume: 36,
Issue: 9,
Pages: 2347-2358
Publisher
Wiley
Publishing Place
Hoboken
Reviewing status
Peer reviewed
Institute(s)
Institute of Molecular Immunology (IMI)