Functional analysis of NK cells and their potential to generate CTL responses Natural Killer (NK) cells detect and kill pathogen-infected host cells, as well as neoplastic cells and tissue allografts. However, recent work in our laboratory suggests that they discharge another duty as well: one that establishes a strong tie between NK cells and their relatives in the adaptive immune system. By inducing apoptosis of cells that exhibit """"""""missing self"""""""", NK cells prompt a strong CD8+ T, CD4+ T and B cell response. The adaptive immune responses via this pathway are significantly amplified compared to immune responses observed after immunization with 3-irradiated cells. While in previous studies, we found that the adaptive immune responses induced by 3-irradiated cells occurred independent of MyD88/Trif signaling, the responses induced by NK cell- mediated cell death-particularly the amplification observed in this pathway-requires a MyD88/Trif-dependent component. Further studies in vitro, have revealed that lymphoid DCs release increased levels of IL-12 when exposed to cells rendered apoptotic by Fas- ligation (but not when exposed to 3-irradiated cells), suggesting that IL-12 production and subsequent MyD88 pathway signaling could be responsible for the amplification observed in this pathway. In the current proposal, we aim to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms and biological consequences of: (a) the contributions of NK cell- specific pathways to the generation of robust CD8+ T cell responses;(b) the DC-specific activation pathways induced by (NK cell-mediated) cell death that drive CD8+ T cell responses. Finally (c), we aim to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms and biological consequences of CD4+ T and B cell responses driven by this pathway. Ultimately, this newly identified function of NK cells may have important implications for a wide variety of diseases, and may be exploited in the design of effective vaccines that promote strong cell-mediated and humoral immunity.

Public Health Relevance

We believe that the NK->DC->T/B cell axis represents a fundamental pathway for the generation of robust adaptive immune responses that may provide a unique and powerful strategy for vaccine development. In addition, a better understanding of this pathway may be essential to provide insight into the development and/or control of a wide variety of diseases, including viral/bacterial infections, autoimmunity, and/or neoplastic diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI074743-02
Application #
7885451
Study Section
Innate Immunity and Inflammation Study Section (III)
Program Officer
Miller, Lara R
Project Start
2009-07-10
Project End
2013-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$371,250
Indirect Cost
Name
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071284913
City
Cincinnati
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45229
Danzer, Claudia; Koller, Anna; Baier, Julia et al. (2016) A mutation within the SH2 domain of slp-76 regulates the tissue distribution and cytokine production of iNKT cells in mice. Eur J Immunol 46:2121-36
Lampe, Kristin; Endale, Mehari; Cashman, Siobhan et al. (2015) Slp-76 is a critical determinant of NK-cell mediated recognition of missing-self targets. Eur J Immunol 45:2072-83
Endale, Mehari; Aksoylar, H Ibrahim; Hoebe, Kasper (2015) Central role of gimap5 in maintaining peripheral tolerance and T cell homeostasis in the gut. Mediators Inflamm 2015:436017
Aksoylar, H Ibrahim; Lampe, Kristin; Barnes, Michael J et al. (2012) Loss of immunological tolerance in Gimap5-deficient mice is associated with loss of Foxo in CD4+ T cells. J Immunol 188:146-54