Human memory-like NK cells migrating to tuberculous pleural fluid via IP-10/CXCR3 and SDF-1/CXCR4 axis produce IFN-γ in response to Bacille Calmette Guerin

We have previously shown that human memory-like NK cells were persistent in tuberculous pleurisy but it was unclear how NK cells migrated into the pleural fluids. At present, we found that NK cells.from TB pleural fluid cells (PFCs) expressed significantly higher levels of CXCR3 and CXCR4 than NK cells from PBMCs. Migration assay demonstrated that IP-10 and SUE-1 induced more migration of NK cells from PFCs than PBMCs. CD45RO(+) or CD45RO(-) NK cells from PFCs were co-cultured with autologous monocytes and stimulated with BCG. The results showed CD45RO(+) but not CD45RO(-) NK cells produced significantly higher levels of IFN-gamma, which was IL-12-dependent since anti-IL-12R beta 1 mAbs could significantly inhibit the IFN-gamma by NK cells. Collectively, our data demonstrated that human Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific NK cells were migrated into the local site of TB infection mainly via IP-10/CXCR3 and SDF-1/CXCR4 axis, memory-like NK cells might display an important role against M. tuberculosis infection. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.