Abstract
IL-15Ralpha-deficient (IL-15Ralpha(-/-)) mice lack NK cells. However, when bone marrow (BM) progenitors from IL-15Ralpha(-/-) mice were cultured with IL-7, stem cell factor and flt3 ligand, followed by IL-15, they were able to differentiate into functional NK cells, indicating that IL-15Ralpha is not critical for NK cell development. Whereas NK cells generated in vitro from IL-15Ralpha(-/-) BM progenitors expressed CD94/NKG2, they failed to express Ly-49 receptors. In keeping with this, when IL-15Ralpha(-/-) BM cells were transferred into wild type recipients, they gave rise to NK cells in vivo, but with greatly reduced expression of Ly-49 receptors. Furthermore, the small numbers of NK cells found in IL-15(-/-) as well as IL-15Ralpha(-/-) but not flt3 ligand(-/-) mice expressed much lower levels of Ly-49 receptors than those from wild type mice. These results indicate a novel role for IL-15Ralpha-chain in Ly-49 induction on developing NK cells.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens, Ly / biosynthesis*
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Antigens, Ly / metabolism
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Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
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Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
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Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
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Bone Marrow Transplantation / immunology
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Cell Differentiation / genetics
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Cell Differentiation / immunology
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Cells, Cultured
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Down-Regulation / genetics
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Down-Regulation / immunology
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
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Interleukin-15 / deficiency
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Interleukin-15 / genetics
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Interleukin-15 / metabolism*
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Killer Cells, Natural / cytology*
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
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Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
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Lectins, C-Type
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Protein Subunits / biosynthesis
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Protein Subunits / deficiency
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Protein Subunits / genetics
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Protein Subunits / physiology*
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Radiation Chimera / genetics
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Radiation Chimera / immunology
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Receptors, Immunologic / antagonists & inhibitors
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Receptors, Immunologic / biosynthesis
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Receptors, Interleukin-15
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Receptors, Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
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Receptors, Interleukin-2 / deficiency
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Receptors, Interleukin-2 / genetics
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Receptors, Interleukin-2 / physiology*
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Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like
Substances
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Antigens, Ly
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Il15ra protein, mouse
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Interleukin-15
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Lectins, C-Type
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Protein Subunits
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Receptors, Immunologic
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Receptors, Interleukin-15
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Receptors, Interleukin-2
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Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like