Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) and N‐WASp are involved in the regulation of NK‐cell migration upon NKG2D activation

E Serrano‐Pertierra… - European Journal of …, 2012 - Wiley Online Library
European Journal of Immunology, 2012Wiley Online Library
NKG 2 D is a transmembrane receptor mainly expressed on CD 8+ T cells and NK cells.
Engagement of NKG 2 D with its ligands can trigger a cytotoxic response. It has been shown
that tumor cells deliver soluble NKG 2 D ligands as a mechanism of immune evasion
through the downregulation of surface‐expressed NKG 2 D. These ligands may be also
secreted in microvesicles and regulate NK‐cell function, but the existence of alternative
mechanisms has not been explored. In this study, we describe that NKG 2 D activation …
NKG2D is a transmembrane receptor mainly expressed on CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Engagement of NKG2D with its ligands can trigger a cytotoxic response. It has been shown that tumor cells deliver soluble NKG2D ligands as a mechanism of immune evasion through the downregulation of surface‐expressed NKG2D. These ligands may be also secreted in microvesicles and regulate NK‐cell function, but the existence of alternative mechanisms has not been explored. In this study, we describe that NKG2D activation inhibits NK‐cell chemotaxis toward a CXCL12 gradient. Costimulation of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A rescues NK‐cell migration rates. Thus, the balance of NKG2D/NKG2A activation may determine the migratory ability of NK cells. Furthermore, our data indicated that NKG2D cross‐linking induces the activation of the Rho GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42, while RhoA activity is decreased. Pharmacological inhibition of the Cdc42 effectors Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp)/N‐WASp, and the reduction of their levels using RNA interference partially abolished NKG2D‐mediated impairment of cell migration, suggesting a pivotal role of Cdc42 in the regulation of NK‐cell migration by NKG2D activation. Therefore, our results provide a new mechanism that may contribute to the immune response or evasion in tumors.
Wiley Online Library