Cytokine-Induced Apoptosis of Human Natural Killer Cells Identifies a Novel Mechanism to Regulate the Innate Immune Response

Abstract

Abstract Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is critical for an effective innate immune response against infection. A combination of interleukins (ILs) derived from activated T cells (IL-2) and monocytes (IL-12), or monocytes alone (IL-15 and IL-12), induces optimal production of IFN-γ from natural killer (NK) cells. The mechanism by which human NK cells downregulate their production of IFN-γ is unknown. Here we show that the same cytokines that induce human NK cell IFN-γ production subsequently induce apoptosis of the NK cells. Fas, bcl-2, or bax do not appear to be involved in this process. The mechanism of cytokine-induced apoptosis of human NK cells appears to involve NK cell production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Neutralization of TNF-α or inhibition of TNF-α binding to the p80 TNF-α receptor partially inhibited apoptosis. Transforming growth factor-β, which inhibits cytokine-induced NK cell production of IFN-γ and TNF-α, also decreased cytokine-induced NK cell apoptosis. Costimulation of a CD3−CD56+ NK leukemia cell line with IL-2 and IL-12 or IL-15 and IL-12 induced apoptosis in vitro, which increased when combined with a chemotherapeutic agent. In summary, costimulation of human NK cells via the IL-2 receptor and the IL-12 receptor induces significant IFN-γ production, followed by NK cell apoptosis and a decline in IFN-γ production. Hence, cytokines that activate this innate immune response may also serve to limit it via apoptosis. This novel observation may have implications for the regulation of the innate immune response during infection, the toxicity of combination cytokine therapy, and the treatment of NK cell leukemia.