Journal article

Herpes Simplex Virus Antigens Directly Activate NK Cells via TLR2, Thus Facilitating Their Presentation to CD4 T Lymphocytes

Min Kim, Naomi R Osborne, Weiguang Zeng, Heather Donaghy, Kay McKinnon, David C Jackson, Anthony L Cunningham

JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY | AMER ASSOC IMMUNOLOGISTS | Published : 2012

Abstract

NK cells infiltrate human herpetic lesions, but their role has been underexplored. HSV can stimulate innate immune responses via surface TLR2, which is expressed on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and NK cells. In this study, UV-inactivated HSV1/2 and immunodominant HSV2 glycoprotein D peptides conjugated to the TLR2 agonist dipalmitoyl-S-glyceryl cysteine stimulated CD4 T lymphocyte IFN-γ responses within PBMCs or in coculture with monocyte-derived DCs. NK cells contributed markedly to the PBMC responses. Furthermore, NK cells alone were activated directly by both Ags, also upregulating HLA-DR and HLA-DQ and then they activated autologous CD4 T lymphocytes. Using Transwells, Ag-stimu..

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