Stepwise cytoskeletal polarization as a series of checkpoints in innate but not adaptive cytolytic killing.

ABSTRACT: Cytolytic killing is a major effector mechanism in the elimination of virally infected and tumor cells. The innate cytolytic effectors, natural killer (NK) cells, and the adaptive effectors, cytotoxic T cells (CTL), despite differential immune recognition, both use the same lytic mechanism, cytolytic granule release. Using live cell video fluorescence microscopy in various primary cell models of NK cell and CTL killing, we show here that on tight target cell contact, a majority of the NK cells established cytoskeletal polarity required for effective lytic function slowly or incompletely. In contrast, CTLs established cytoskeletal polarity rapidly. In addition, NK cell killing was uniquely sensitive to minor interference with cytoskeletal dynamics. We propose that the stepwise NK cell cytos

SUBMITTER: Wulfing C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC164662 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature