Human cytomegalovirus-induced NKG2C(hi) CD57(hi) natural killer cells are effectors dependent on humoral antiviral immunity

J Virol. 2013 Jul;87(13):7717-25. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01096-13. Epub 2013 May 1.

Abstract

Recent studies indicate that expansion of NKG2C-positive natural killer (NK) cells is associated with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV); however, their activity in response to HCMV-infected cells remains unclear. We show that NKG2C(hi) CD57(hi) NK cells gated on CD3(neg) CD56(dim) cells can be phenotypically identified as HCMV-induced NK cells that can be activated by HCMV-infected cells. Using HCMV-infected autologous macrophages as targets, we were able to show that these NKG2C(hi) CD57(hi) NK cells are highly responsive to HCMV-infected macrophages only in the presence of HCMV-specific antibodies, whereas they are functionally poor effectors of natural cytotoxicity. We further demonstrate that NKG2C(hi) CD57(hi) NK cells are intrinsically responsive to signaling through CD16 cross-linking. Our findings show that the activity of pathogen-induced innate immune cells can be enhanced by adaptive humoral immunity. Understanding the activity of NKG2C(hi) CD57(hi) NK cells against HCMV-infected cells will be of relevance for the further development of adoptive immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • CD57 Antigens / immunology
  • CD57 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral / immunology*
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Macrophages / virology
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C / immunology
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C / metabolism*
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Receptors, IgG / immunology
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • CD57 Antigens
  • FCGR3B protein, human
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • KLRC2 protein, human
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C
  • Receptors, IgG