NK cells promote peritoneal xenograft rejection through an IFN-γ-dependent mechanism

Abstract

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as major players in anti-viral and anti-tumour immune responses. Like cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), they express perforin and are potent secretors of γ-interferon (IFN-γ). However, there is conflicting evidence about their role in mediating rejection of xenogeneic tissue. Methods: A pig-to-mouse peritoneal cell model of xenotransplantation was used to investigate the effect of NK deficiency on xenograft recovery and the possible mechanisms behind this NK-mediated graft rejection. γc-/-RAG-/- mice were used as a model of NK deficiency. Additionally, NK cells were depleted in RAG-/- mice using anti-asialo GM1. The contributions of IFN-γ, perf..