Genetic Regulator of NK Cell Activity Identified

The study appeared in the October 2002 issue of Immunity.

Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY, USA) found that mice lacking the gene for MEF had a profound reduction in the number of NK-T and NK cells, and that the NK cells could not lyse tumor cells and secreted only minimal amounts of gamma interferon. Perforin protein expression was severely impaired in the MEF-deficient NK cells, likely accounting for the lack of tumor cell cytotoxicity. Promoter studies and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that MEF and not ETS-1 directly regulated transcription of the perforin gene in NK cells.

"By understanding how the MEF protein promotes the development and function of natural killer cells, we will develop ways to help the innate immune system better recognize and kill cancer cells,” explained senior author Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, head of the division of hematology oncology. "We are planning future studies to learn how this can improve bone marrow transplant strategies.”




Related Links:
Memorial S-K Cancer Center