IL-21-dependent expansion of memory-like NK cells enhances protective immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT: Natural killer (NK) cells are traditionally considered as innate cells, but recent studies suggest that NK cells can distinguish antigens, and that memory NK cells expand and protect against viral pathogens. Limited information is available about the mechanisms involved in memory-like NK cell expansion, and their role in bacterial infections and vaccine-induced protective immune responses. In the current study, using a mouse model of tuberculosis (TB) infection, we found that interferon-gamma producing CD3-NKp46+CD27+KLRG1+ memory-like NK cells develop during Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination, expand, and provide protection against challenge with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). Using antibodies, short interfering RNA and gene-deleted mice, we found that expansion of memory-like NK ce

SUBMITTER: Venkatasubramanian S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5462891 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature