NK cells developing in vitro from fetal mouse progenitors express at least one member of the Ly49 family that is acquired in a time-dependent and stochastic manner independently of CD94 and NKG2

Eur J Immunol. 2002 Mar;32(3):868-78. doi: 10.1002/1521-4141(200203)32:3<868::AID-IMMU868>3.0.CO;2-A.

Abstract

NK cells developing in vitro from fetal progenitors in the presence of IL-2 are phenotypically and functionally indistinguishable from mature adult NK cells, with the exception that they generally lack surface expression of any of the Ly49 molecules that have previously been examined. Using two recently developed anti-Ly49 mAb, we show here that most of these NK cells in fact express high levels of at least one previously uncharacterized member of the Ly49 family, most likely Ly49E. Detailed kinetic and clonal analysis revealed that these Ly49 molecules were acquired in a progressive and stochastic manner independently of CD94 and NKG2. CD94 and NKG2 were both expressed early in NK cell development, sometimes in the absence of NK1.1, with CD94 invariably being expressed at two different levels. IL-4 differentially inhibited the expression of CD94 and Ly49 receptors, but had little or no effect on the expression of NKRP1 molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / analysis
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, Ly*
  • Antigens, Surface / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured / metabolism
  • Clone Cells / metabolism
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Fetal Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Fetal Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental* / drug effects
  • Gestational Age
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / biosynthesis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Interleukin-4 / pharmacology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Lectins, C-Type*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / classification
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily A
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D
  • Proteins / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
  • Stochastic Processes
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / embryology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Ly
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Fetal Proteins
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Klra5 protein, mouse
  • Klrb1c protein, mouse
  • Klrd1 protein, mouse
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily A
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D
  • Proteins
  • Q surface antigens
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
  • Interleukin-4