Ral GTPases regulate cell-mediated cytotoxicity in NK cells

NK cells are key components of the immune response to virally infected and tumor cells. Recognition of target cells initiates a series of events in NK cells that culminates in target destruction via directed secretion of lytic granules. Ral proteins are members of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases; they regulate vesicular trafficking and polarized granule secretion in several cell types. In this study, we address the role of Ral GTPases in cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Using a human NK cell line and human primary NK cells, we show that both Ral isoforms, RalA and RalB, are activated rapidly after target cell recognition. Furthermore, silencing of RalA and RalB impaired NK cell cytotoxicity. RalA regulated granule polarization toward the immunological synapse and the subsequent process of degranulation, whereas RalB regulated degranulation but not polarization of lytic granules. Analysis of the molecular mechanism indicated that Ral activation in NK cells leads to assembly of the exocyst, a protein complex involved in polarized secretion. This assembly is required for degranulation, as interference with expression of the exocyst component Sec5 led to reduced degranulation and impaired cytotoxicity in NK cells. Our results thus identify a role for Ral in cell-mediated cytotoxicity, implicating these GTPases in lymphocyte function.     

Cellular localization and functional role of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C in NK cells

Although several classes of phospholipases have been implicated in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, no evidence has been reported to date on involvement of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) in NK activation by lymphokines and/or in lytic granule exocytosis. This study demonstrated the expression of two PC-PLC isoforms (M(r) 40 and 66 kDa) and their IL-2-dependent distribution between cytoplasm and ectoplasmic membrane surface in human NK cells. Following cell activation by IL-2, cytoplasmic PC-PLC translocated from the microtubule-organizing center toward cell periphery, essentially by kinesin-supported transport along microtubules, while PC-PLC exposed on the outer cell surface increased 2-fold. Preincubation of NK cells with a PC-PLC inhibitor, tricyclodecan-9-yl-xanthogenate, strongly reduced NK-mediated cytotoxicity. In IL-2-activated cells, this loss of cytotoxicity was associated with a decrease of PC-PLC exposed on the cell surface, and accumulation of cytoplasmic PC-PLC in the Golgi region. Massive colocalization of PC-PLC-rich particles with perforin-containing granules was found in the cytoplasm of NK-activated (but not NK-resting) cells; both organelles clustered at the intercellular contact region of effector-target cell conjugates. These newly detected mechanisms of PC-PLC translocation and function support an essential role of this enzyme in regulated granule exocytosis and NK-mediated cytotoxicity.     

Degranulation enhances presynaptic membrane packing,which protects NK cells from perforin-mediated autolysis

Natural killer (NK) cells kill a target cell by secreting perforin into the lytic immunological synapse, a specialized interface formed between the NK cell and its target. Perforin creates pores in target cell membranes allowing delivery of proapoptotic enzymes. Despite the fact that secreted perforin is in close range to both the NK and target cell membranes, the NK cell typically survives while the target cell does not. How NK cells preferentially avoid death during the secretion of perforin via the degranulation of their perforin-containing organelles (lytic granules) is perplexing. Here, we demonstrate that NK cells are protected from perforin-mediated autolysis by densely packed and highly ordered presynaptic lipid membranes, which increase packing upon synapse formation. When treated with 7-ketocholesterol, lipid packing is reduced in NK cells making them susceptible to perforin-mediated lysis after degranulation. Using high-resolution imaging and lipidomics, we identified lytic granules themselves as having endogenously densely packed lipid membranes. During degranulation, lytic granule–cell membrane fusion thereby further augments presynaptic membrane packing, enhancing membrane protection at the specific sites where NK cells would face maximum concentrations of secreted perforin. Additionally, we found that an aggressive breast cancer cell line is perforin resistant and evades NK cell–mediated killing owing to a densely packed postsynaptic membrane. By disrupting membrane packing, these cells were switched to an NK-susceptible state, which could suggest strategies for improving cytotoxic cell-based cancer therapies. Thus, lipid membranes serve an unexpected role in NK cell functionality protecting them from autolysis, while degranulation allows for the inherent lytic granule membrane properties to create local ordered lipid “shields” against self-destruction.

Natural killer cells mediate largely unidirectional potent cytotoxicity against diseased cells while sparing themselves. The authors show that the NK cell membrane contains and focuses lipids of high density which shield against self-destruction, and a similar densely packed postsynaptic membrane is responsible for the perforin resistance and NK cell-mediated killing evasion of an aggressive breast cancer cell line.     

Nongranular proteolytic enzymes of rat IL-2–activated natural killer cells. II. Purification and identification of rat A-NKP 1 and A-NKP 2 as constituents of the multicatalytic proteinase (proteasome) complex

We have recently described nongranular, cytosolic, high-molecular-weight trypsin-like (A-NKP 1) and chymotrypsin-like (A-NKP 2) proteases of interleukin-2–activated rat natural killer (A-NK) cells. A functional correlation between the inactivation of A-NKP 2 and the inhibition of rat A-NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity was found. Herein we describe the 6,000-fold purification of A-NKP 2 to apparent homogeneity following: isopycnic sucrose gradient fractionation of postnuclear supernatants, molecular sieve chromatography, and heparin-Sepharose® chromatography. We also report the novel finding that A-NKP 2 as well as A-NKP 1, derived from either rat A-NK cells or the rat NK leukemic cell line CRNK-16, are constituents of the multicatalytic proteinase (MCP/proteasome) complexes of these cells. Characteristic biochemical, biophysical, and electron microscopic/ultrastructural similarity to the rat liver proteasome was observed. However, Western blot analysis using polyclonal antibodies to the rat liver proteasome clearly indicated differences in the rat hepatic proteasome and the CRNK-16–derived proteasomal subunits. The identification, characterization, and purification of A-NKP 1 and A-NKP 2, described herein, now allow for further investigation of the potential role of these proteasome components in NK cell function. Moreover, the proteasome of NK and A-NK cells can now be compared and contrasted to the granzymes of lytic granules with respect to their role in cell-mediated cytotoxicity. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Nongranular proteolytic enzymes of rat IL-2-activated natural killer cells. I. Subcellular localization and functional role.

Our investigations indicate that a variety of neutral serine proteases exist in highly purified, IL-2-activated rat NK (A-NK) cells. These enzymatic activities are not restricted to only cytolysin-containing granules and are not defined by only the assay of N-alpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine thiobenzylesterase activity. These activities, which we term A-NKP 1, A-NKP 2, A-NKP 3, and A-NKP 4, cleave, respectively, the following fluorogenic peptide substrates: Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC, trypsin-like); Suc-Ala-Ala-Phe AMC (chymotrypsin-like); Suc-Gly-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro AMC (collagenase-like), and Z-Phe-Arg AMC (another trypsin-like enzyme). The proteases A-NKP 1, A-NKP 2, and A-NKP 3 are not cell surface-associated and appear to be cytosolic as defined by isopycnic sucrose density gradient centrifugation. In contrast, A-NKP 4 appears to be located in lysosomes. Treatment of rat A-NK cells with protease inhibitors that inhibit A-NKP 2 and A-NKP 3 also substantially inhibit A-NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against both NK-sensitive and -resistant targets (YAC-1 and P815, respectively). These results indicate that A-NKP2 and A-NKP 3 may play a role in IL-2-activated NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. A variety of proteolytic enzymes, in addition to granzymes, therefore exist in A-NK cells. Our studies indicate that a prerequisite to a thorough understanding of the role of proteases in killer cell function is the investigation of several classes of enzymes in addition to granzymes contained in lytic granules.     

Localization of Fas ligand in cytoplasmic granules of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells: participation of Fas ligand in granule exocytosis model of cytotoxicity

Fas ligand (FasL) has been implicated in cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)- and natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the localization of FasL in murine CTL and NK cells. Immunocytochemical staining showed that FasL was stored in cytoplasmic granules of CD8+ CTL clones and in vivo activated CTL and NK cells, where perforin and granzyme A also resided. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that FasL was localized on outer membrane of the cytoplasmic granules, while perforin was localized in internal vesicles. Western blot analysis showed that the membrane-type FasL of 40 kDa was stored in CD8+ CTL clones but not in CD4+ CTL clones. By utilizing a granule exocytosis inhibitor (TN16), we demonstrated that FasL translocated onto cell surface upon degranulation of anti-CD3-stimulated CD8+ CTL clones. Moreover, TN16 markedly inhibited the FasL-mediated cytotoxicity by CD8+ T cell clones and NK cells. These results suggested a substantial contribution of FasL to granule exocytosis-mediated target cell lysis by CD8+ CTL and NK cells.     

Purification and properties of cytoplasmic granules from cytotoxic rat LGL tumors

To evaluate the role of NK cell granules in the lytic activity of NK cells, cytoplasmic granules of rat NK tumors were purified by centrifugation of the cell homogenates in a Percoll gradient. Analysis of such gradients showed a band of light-scattering material near the bottom of the tube; assay of gradient fractions for lytic activity against SRBC showed a potent lytic activity giving a sharp peak in this region. Complete lysis of SRBC was achieved with less than 1 microgram/ml protein of the most active fractions. Examination in the electron microscope showed that a pool of fractions containing lytic activity consisted of pure cytoplasmic granules showing similar morphology to those found in the LGL tumors. The lytic band was associated with a peak in the activity of four different lysosomal enzymes. Analysis of Percoll gradient fractions showed that marker enzymes for mitochondria, plasma membrane, and cytosol were well separated from this activity peak. Analysis of the Percoll gradient fractions by SDS gel electrophoresis showed that this granule fraction was free of contamination of proteins from other parts of the gradient. The granules contained major protein bands of 62, 58, 30, 29, and 28 kilodaltons. In addition to protein, the purified granule fractions contain hexose and uronic acid, but no nucleic acids or phospholipids were detected in chemical assays. Major amounts of chymotryptic, tryptic, and elastase activities were not present, nor were peroxidase or lysozyme activities detectable in substantial amounts. These data show that NK tumor cell cytoplasmic granules contain a potent lytic activity and have biochemical properties that distinguish them from granules present in granulocytes and mast cells.     

Cutting edge: granzymes A and B are not essential for perforin-mediated tumor rejection

Controversy still exists regarding the biological function of granzyme serine proteases released with perforin from the cytotoxic granules of NK cells and CTLs. In particular, it is not clear whether the major granzymes, A and B, play an essential role in tumor rejection mediated by the perforin pathway. We have now examined the relative importance of perforin and granzyme A and B clusters in five different tumor models that stringently distinguish their importance. We conclude that granzyme A and B clusters are not essential for CTL- and NK cell-mediated rejection of spontaneous and experimental tumors, raising the likelihood that either perforin alone or in combination with an additional granzyme or granule component(s) mediates cytotoxicity of tumor cells in vivo.     

Effect of altered membrane fluidity on NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. I. Selective inhibition of the recognition or post recognition events in the cytolytic pathway of NK cells

NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity results from membrane interactions between NK effector and target cells. The role of membrane fluidity in these events is not known. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of changes in membrane lipid fluidity of NK effector and NK-sensitive target cells on the lytic pathway of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Fluidity was modulated by various lipids and measured by fluorescence polarization. NK effector cells treated with phosphatidylcholine complexed with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) showed increased membrane fluidity. This fluidization of the effector cell membrane resulted in a significant inhibition of cytotoxic activity in the 51Cr-release assay. Single cell analysis revealed that the inhibition was due to a decrease in the frequency of NK target conjugates and reduced killing of conjugated targets. Rigidification of the NK effector cell membranes by treatment with cholesteryl hemisuccinate complexed with PVP and BSA also resulted in inhibition of cytotoxicity. This inhibition was post binding, because binding was increased and lysis was abrogated. Fluidization of K562 target cell membranes caused a slight but insignificant increase in their lysis by NK cells without affecting the binding step. On the other hand, rigidification of K562 membranes decreased the sensitivity of these target cells to lysis. Single cell analysis revealed that this inhibition of NK lysis is post binding, because the frequency of killers was significantly decreased. It was also shown that membrane rigidification of target cells that were programmed for lysis during the lethal hit stage and subsequently separated from effector cells, rendered the programmed cells resistant to killing during the killer cell-independent lysis step. These results demonstrate that fluidization or rigidification of the plasma membrane of either effector or target cells affect different stages of the NK cell-mediated cytolytic events.     

Calcineurin-dependent lytic granule exocytosis in NK-92 natural killer cells

Cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and natural killer cells (NKs) both kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells by releasing the cytoxic contents of their lytic granules. We recently demonstrated a role for calcineurin in lytic granule exocytosis in TALL-104 human leukemic CTLs [M.J. Grybko, J.P. Bartnik, G.A. Wurth, A.T. Pores-Fernando, A. Zweifach, Calcineurin activation is only one calcium-dependent step in cytotoxic T lymphocyte granule exocytosis, J. Biol. Chem. 282 (2007) 18009-18017]. However, whether calcineurin plays a similar role in NK lytic granule release is not known. We tested whether calcineurin is involved in lytic granule exocytosis in human leukemic NK-92 cells using immunosuppressive drugs that block calcineurin function and by overexpressing a constitutively active calcineurin fusion protein. Our results indicate that calcineurin does play a role in lytic granule exocytosis in NK-92 cells, and suggest that, as was the case in TALL-104 cells, there are likely to be multiple calcium-dependent steps.     

Two modes of lytic granule fusion during degranulation by natural killer cells

Lytic granules in cytotoxic lymphocytes, which include T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, are secretory lysosomes that release their content upon fusion with the plasma membrane (PM), a process known as degranulation. Although vesicle exocytosis has been extensively studied in endocrine and neuronal cells, much less is known about the fusion of lytic granules in cytotoxic lymphocytes. Here, we used total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to examine lytic granules labeled with fluorescently tagged Fas ligand (FasL) in the NK cell line NKL stimulated with phorbol ester and ionomycin and in primary NK cells activated by physiological receptor-ligand interactions. Two fusion modes were observed: complete fusion, characterized by loss of granule content and rapid diffusion of FasL at the PM; and incomplete fusion, characterized by transient fusion pore opening and retention of FasL at the fusion site. The pH-sensitive green fluorescence protein (pHluorin) fused to the lumenal domain of FasL was used to visualize fusion pore opening with a time resolution of 30?ms. Upon incomplete fusion, pHluorin emission lasted several seconds in the absence of noticeable diffusion. Thus, we conclude that lytic granules in NK cells undergo both complete and incomplete fusion with the PM, and propose that incomplete fusion may promote efficient recycling of lytic granule membrane after the release of cytotoxic effector molecules.     

Inhibition of the death receptor pathway by cFLIP confers partial engraftment of MHC class I-deficient stem cells and reduces tumor clearance in perforin-deficient mice

NK cells mediate acute rejection of MHC class I-deficient bone marrow cell (BMC) grafts. However, the exact cytotoxic mechanisms of NK cells during acute BMC graft rejection are not well defined. Although the granule exocytosis pathway plays a major role in NK cell-mediated rejection, alternative perforin-independent mechanisms also exist. By analyzing the anti-apoptotic effects of cellular Fas-associated death domain-like IL-1-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein (cFLIP) overexpression, we investigated the possible role of death receptor-induced apoptosis in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In the absence of perforin, we found that cFLIP overexpression reduces lysis of tumor cells by NK cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, perforin-deficient NK cells were impaired in their ability to acutely reject cFLIP-overexpressing TAP-1 knockout stem cells. These results emphasize the importance of NK cell death receptor-mediated killing during BMC grafts in the absence of perforin.     

Growth factor-initiated proliferation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts induces cytotoxicity by natural killer cells and by a non-cytolysin cytotoxin in natural killer granules

NK cells preferentially kill normal embryonic fibroblasts. Because embryonic cells are growth factor responsive and maintain high proliferative rates, we examined the requirement for growth factor-initiated proliferation for NK susceptibility. Murine embryonic fibroblasts made quiescent in defined medium lacking growth factors were relatively resistant to NK cytolysis. However, reinitiation of proliferation with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or epidermal growth factor enhanced lysis in a dose-dependent fashion. TGF-beta, which blocked cell division, did not enhance cytotoxicity. Additionally, growth inhibition by prolonged incubation at confluence suppressed lysis. The enhanced NK cytotoxicity of bFGF-stimulated fibroblasts was caused by a post-binding event because no difference in cold target inhibition could be demonstrated with bFGF-treated cells. NK cytotoxicity has largely been attributed to the action of cytotoxins released from cytoplasmic granules. In a 51Cr release assay, bFGF-treated fibroblasts were insensitive to NK granules isolated from the RNK large granular lymphocyte leukemia. However, these same cells exhibited marked sensitivity to lysis in an 18-h adhesion assay normally utilized to detect TNF-alpha. With the use of this assay, a dose-dependent increase in sensitivity of bFGF-treated fibroblasts was observed, whereas quiescent fibroblasts were resistant to the action of isolated NK granules. Granule cytotoxicity was not caused by cytolysin/perforin because inactivation of granule hemolytic activity with CaCl2 did not affect fibroblast killing, and bFGF-treated cells were insensitive to purified cytolysin/perforin. This suggested that another granule associated cytotoxin was responsible for enhanced NK sensitivity of actively proliferating fibroblasts.     

Differential role of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 mitogen-activated protein kinases in NK cell cytotoxicity

The serine-threonine mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family includes extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and p38 kinases. In NK cells, spontaneous or Ab-mediated recognition of target cells leads to activation of an ERK-2 MAPK-dependent biochemical pathway(s) involved in the regulation of NK cell effector functions. Here we assessed the roles of p38 and JNK MAPK in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Our data indicate that p38 is activated in primary human NK cells upon stimulation with immune complexes and interaction with NK-sensitive target cells. FcgammaRIIIA-induced granule exocytosis and both spontaneous and Ab-dependent cytotoxicity were reduced in a dose-dependent manner in cells pretreated with either of two specific inhibitors of this kinase. Target cell-induced IFN-gamma and FcgammaRIIIA-induced TNF-alpha mRNA accumulation was similarly affected under the same conditions. Lack of inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity in cells overexpressing an inactive form of JNK1 indicates that this kinase, activated only upon FcgammaRIIIA ligation, does not play a significant role in cytotoxicity. These data underscore the involvement of p38, but not JNK1, in the molecular mechanisms regulating NK cell cytotoxicity.     

Remodelling of cortical actin where lytic granules dock at natural killer cell immune synapses revealed by super-resolution microscopy

Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells that secrete lytic granules to directly kill virus-infected or transformed cells across an immune synapse. However, a major gap in understanding this process is in establishing how lytic granules pass through the mesh of cortical actin known to underlie the NK cell membrane. Research has been hampered by the resolution of conventional light microscopy, which is too low to resolve cortical actin during lytic granule secretion. Here we use two high-resolution imaging techniques to probe the synaptic organisation of NK cell receptors and filamentous (F)-actin. A combination of optical tweezers and live cell confocal microscopy reveals that microclusters of NKG2D assemble into a ring-shaped structure at the centre of intercellular synapses, where Vav1 and Grb2 also accumulate. Within this ring-shaped organisation of NK cell proteins, lytic granules accumulate for secretion. Using 3D-structured illumination microscopy (3D-SIM) to gain super-resolution of ~100 nm, cortical actin was detected in a central region of the NK cell synapse irrespective of whether activating or inhibitory signals dominate. Strikingly, the periodicity of the cortical actin mesh increased in specific domains at the synapse when the NK cell was activated. Two-colour super-resolution imaging revealed that lytic granules docked precisely in these domains which were also proximal to where the microtubule-organising centre (MTOC) polarised. Together, these data demonstrate that remodelling of the cortical actin mesh occurs at the central region of the cytolytic NK cell immune synapse. This is likely to occur for other types of cell secretion and also emphasises the importance of emerging super-resolution imaging technology for revealing new biology.     

Ultraviolet light-induced increase in tumor cell susceptibility to TNF-dependent and TNF-independent natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Previously we demonstrated that two consecutive in vitro irradiations of MCA 102 cells with high doses of UVC light (610 and 457 J/m2) resulted in a selection of a permanent line MCA 102UV that manifested high sensitivity to natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC). In the present study analysis of the effector cells involved in lysis of these tumor cells was performed by comparing the cytotoxicity of normal spleen cells which mediated both NK and NC cell activity with (a) normal spleen cells in which NC activity was neutralized by anti-TNF Abs (NK+,NC-), (b) NK-depleted or NK-deficient spleen cells (NK-,NC+), and (c) NK-deficient or -depleted spleen cells with NC activity neutralized by anti-TNF Abs (NK-,NC-). Results of these studies indicate that lysis of the original MCA 102 tumor cells was relatively low and was mediated by NC cells. UV irradiation significantly increased MCA 102 tumor cell sensitivity to lysis by both NK and NC cells. Analysis of the mechanisms involved in UV-induced NK sensitivity revealed that UV irradiation increased tumor cell susceptibility to lytic NK-derived granules. NC sensitivity of MCA 102UV tumor cells was associated with their increase in sensitivity to TNF and selection of MCA 102UV cells for resistance to rTNF resulted in a decrease in their susceptibility to NC cells. To determine how fast UV-induced sensitivity to NCMC and rTNF can be established, 51Cr-labeled MCA 102 cells were irradiated in vitro with 38-304 J/m2 of UVC light and their sensitivity to lysis by spleen cells and rTNF was tested immediately in an 18-hr cytotoxicity assay. UV treatment with the same doses was repeated 12 days later. The data obtained showed that tumor cell sensitivity to NCMC and TNF appeared shortly after UV irradiation, was stable, and was further substantially augmented by the second round of UV treatment. Thus, in vitro UV irradiation of tumor cells could be an effective modulator of tumor cell sensitivity to TNF-dependent and TNF-independent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.     

Murine trophoblast resists cell-mediated lysis. II. Resistance to natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity

The susceptibility of murine trophoblast cells to natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity has been assessed. Primary short-term cultures of murine trophoblast cells isolated from 14-day placentas were found to be resistant to endogenous and interferon-activated natural killer (NK) cells and natural cytotoxic cells. That the relevant target structures are expressed on the surface of trophoblast cells and accessible to the effectors was demonstrated by their ability to inhibit the lysis of NK-sensitive target cells (YAC-1) in a dose-dependent manner. The lytic resistance of trophoblast cells was unaffected by neuraminidase treatment, inhibition of protein synthesis, or extending the assay time to 12 hr. Moreover, trophoblast cells were resistant to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity when coated with an alloantibody capable of mediating their lysis in the presence of heterologous complement. Neither the preincubation of effector cells in concentrated trophoblast culture supernatants nor the direct exposure of effectors to monolayers of trophoblast cells inhibited their NK lytic activity, indicating that the secretion of a suppressive factor or the direct inactivation of the NK cells was not responsible for the observed resistance to lysis. These observations, together with previous results showing the resistance of trophoblast to cytotoxic T cell-mediated lysis, reveal that murine trophoblast cells possess a resistance mechanism against several forms of cell-mediated lysis. This feature of trophoblast cells at the maternal-fetal interface is likely to play an important role in protecting the fetoplacental allograft from immune rejection.     

Cloned cytotoxic T lymphocyte target cells fail to induce early activation events in effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes

We have explored further the basis for resistance of cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to cell-mediated cytotoxicity. We find that most cloned CTLs recognized as specific target cells by other cloned CTLs used as effector cells fail to activate three early events that may be critical in triggering lysis in the effector CTLs: Ca2+ influx, microtubule organizing center (MTOC) reorientation, and serine esterase release. To the extent that any or all of these events are involved in activation or expression of the lytic pathway in effector CTLs, our results suggest that in addition to being inherently resistant to cytotoxic granule extracts, many CTLs are also unable to induce lytic function in other (effector) CTLs. We have found one CTL clone that can respond to recognizable cloned CTL target cells with at least MTOC reorientation and serine esterase release, although the target CTLs are still not lysed. In this case, the resistance of the target CTL to lysis may be due solely to its resistance to cytoplasmic granule contents.     

Role of P-glycoprotein in human natural killer-like cell line-mediated cytotoxicity

Natural killer (NK) cells express the highest amount of P-glycoprotein (Pgp), a product of the multidrug resistance (MDR) 1 gene, among lymphoid cells, and our previous studies demonstrated that Pgp is required for NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In this study we examined the role of Pgp in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity using a human NK-like cell line, i.e., YTN cells and two MDR reversing agents, nicardipine and its structural analog, AHC-93. These two agents inhibited the Pgp function (rhodamine-123 excretion) as well as cell-mediated cytotoxicity, confirming that Pgp is critical for NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. As revealed by video-rate ultraviolet laser-scanning confocal microscopy, AHC-93 did not inhibit the increase in the intracellular calcium concentration upon binding to target cells, whereas nicardipine did, as reported previously. These two reagents relocated acridine orange dye from lysosomes to the cytoplasm at concentrations similar to those required for the inhibition of cell-mediated cytotoxicity. These results suggest that Pgp is directly or indirectly involved in pH regulation in lysosomes, but not in calcium homeostasis.     

Behavior and Properties of Mature Lytic Granules at the Immunological Synapse of Human Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

Killing of virally infected cells or tumor cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes requires targeting of lytic granules to the junction between the CTL and its target. We used whole-cell patch clamp to measure the cell capacitance at fixed intracellular [Ca²⁺] to study fusion of lytic granules in human CTLs. Expression of a fluorescently labeled human granzyme B construct allowed identification of lytic granule fusion using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. In this way capacitance steps due to lytic granule fusion were identified. Our goal was to determine the size of fusing lytic granules and to describe their behavior at the plasma membrane. On average, 5.02 ± 3.09 (mean ± s.d.) lytic granules were released per CTL. The amplitude of lytic granule fusion events was ~ 3.3 fF consistent with a diameter of about 325 nm. Fusion latency was biphasic with time constants of 15.9 and 106 seconds. The dwell time of fusing lytic granules was exponentially distributed with a mean dwell time of 28.5 seconds. Fusion ended in spite of the continued presence of granules at the immune synapse. The mobility of fusing granules at the membrane was indistinguishable from that of lytic granules which failed to fuse. While dwelling at the plasma membrane lytic granules exhibit mobility consistent with docking interspersed with short periods of greater mobility. The failure of lytic granules to fuse when visible in TIRF at the membrane may indicate that a membrane-confined reaction is rate limiting.