Immunoproteasome-Deficiency Has No Effects on NK Cell Education, but Confers Lymphocytes into Targets for NK Cells in Infected Wild-Type Mice

2011

Immunoproteasome-Deficiency and NK Cell Education

Sample size: 6 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): van Helden Mary J. G., de Graaf Natascha, Bekker Cornelis P. J., Boog Claire J. P., Zaiss Dietmar M. W., Sijts Alice J. A. M.

Primary Institution: Division of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht

Hypothesis

Does immunoproteasome deficiency affect NK cell education and their response to infected cells?

Conclusion

Immunoproteasome-deficient mice have responsive NK cells, but these cells are rejected in infected recipients.

Supporting Evidence

Immunoproteasome-deficient mice have lower MHC class I levels but still maintain NK cell responsiveness.
Transferred immunoproteasome-deficient splenocytes are tolerated in naive mice but rejected in infected mice.
The study suggests that inflammation alters the balance of signals that NK cells receive.

Takeaway

This study shows that even with lower levels of a specific protein, immune cells can still work well, but they might get attacked when the body is fighting an infection.