Mesenchymal stem cell-natural killer cell interactions: evidence that activated NK cells are capable of killing MSCs, whereas MSCs can inhibit IL-2-induced NK-cell proliferation

In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to inhibit T-lymphocyte proliferation induced by alloantigens or mitogens. However, no substantial information is available regarding their effect on natural killer (NK) cells. Here we show that MSCs sharply inhibit IL-2-induced proliferation of resting NK cells, whereas they only partially affect the proliferation of activated NK cells. In addition, we show that IL-2-activated NK cells (but not freshly isolated NK cells) efficiently lyse autologous and allogeneic MSCs. The activating NK receptors NKp30, NKG2D, and DNAM-1 represented the major receptors responsible for the induction of NK-mediated cytotoxicity against MSCs. Accordingly, MSCs…

• CD
  Compagnia di San Paolo
• EC
  European Commission
• MD
  Ministero della Salute
• MD
  Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca
• AI
  Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro