Genetic influences on the augmentation of natural killer (NK) cells during murine cytomegalovirus infection: correlation with patterns of resistance.

Abstract

Cytotoxic activity attributable to natural killer (NK) cells was augmented in the spleens of mice infected with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Stimulation was observed as early as 10 hr after virus administration but was dependent upon the dose used, and in particular, the host genotype. Effector cells were capable of killing a range of tumor cell targets as well as normal syngeneic thymocytes, and were induced in nude (nu/nu) and heterozygous (nu/+) mice. A significant correlation existed between resistance to the lethal effects of MCMV infection and the degree of NK cell augmentation by this virus in 10 of 11 strains examined. Non-H-2 related differences in activity were observed, but a clear association between high NK cell responses and the possession of a particular H-2 haplotype was not apparent. Beige mutant C57BL/6J mice, previously reported as defective in NK cell function were susceptible to MCMV and expressed low levels of cytotoxicity during infection. Thus, the genetically controlled stimulation of NK cells in the early stages of infection with MCMV may contribute to the genotype related patterns of resistance seen with this virus.

The X-linked epigenetic regulator UTX controls NK cell-intrinsic sex differences

“…In mice, NK cells are required for the control of mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and other viral infections 15 . Mice with either genetic deficiency in NK cell function or loss of NK cell numbers have a significant increase in viral titers and mortality following MCMV infection [15][16][17][18] . Thus, NK cells are critical in antiviral immunity in both mice and humans.…”

Natural killer cells- from innate cells to the discovery of adaptability

“…Gumáet al described the expansion of a population of NK cells in response to cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected fibroblasts in 2006 and this set off increasing interest in NK cell function thus accumulating knowledge over the last decade (21). The NK relationship with CMV has for long been appreciated by the observation of the high susceptibility to CMV-infections in both humans and mice lacking functional NK cells (65)(66)(67)(68)(69).…”