Cited by 350Immune Cell Function and InteractionT-cell and B-cell ImmunologyReproductive System and Pregnancy

The Human Liver Contains Multiple Populations of NK Cells, T Cells, and CD3+CD56+ Natural T Cells with Distinct Cytotoxic Activities and Th1, Th2, and Th0 Cytokine Secretion Patterns

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Doherty, Derek G, Norris, Suzanne, Madrigal-Estebas, Laura, McEntee, Gerry, Traynor, Oscar, Hegarty, John E, O’Farrelly, Cliona·1999·The Journal of Immunology

Abstract

The human liver contains significant numbers of T cells, NK cells, and lymphocytes that coexpress T and NK cell receptors. To evaluate their functional activities, we have compared the cytotoxic activities and cytokines produced by normal adult hepatic CD3+CD56− (T) cells, CD3−CD56+ (NK) cells, and CD3+CD56+ (natural T (NT)) cells. In cytotoxicity assays using immunomagnetic bead-purified NK cell, T cell, and NT cell subpopulations as effectors, fresh hepatic NK cells lysed K562 targets, while NT cells could be induced to do so by culturing with IL-2. Both NT and T cells were capable of redirected cytolysis of P815 cells using Abs to CD3. Flow cytometric analysis of cytokine production by fresh hepatic lymphocyte subsets activated by CD3 cross-linking or PMA and ionomycin stimulation indicated that NT cells and T cells could produce IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, and/or IL-4, but little or no IL-5, while NK cells produced IFN-γ and/or TNF-α only. The majority of NT cells produced inflammatory (Th1) cytokines only; however, ∼6% of all hepatic T cells, which included 5% of Vα24 TCR-bearing NT cells and 2% of γδTCR+ cells, simultaneously produced IFN-γ and IL-4. The existence of such large numbers of cytotoxic lymphocytes with multiple effector functions suggests that the liver is an important site of innate immune responses, early regulation of adaptive immunity, and possibly peripheral deletion of autologous cells.

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Crossref · 10.4049/jimmunol.163.4.2314

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Authors
Doherty, D. G., Norris, S., Madrigal-Estebas, L., McEntee, G., Traynor, O., Hegarty, J. E., & O’Farrelly, C.
Affiliations
  • University College Dublin (IE)
  • St. Vincent's University Hospital (IE)
Corresponding author
Norris, Suzanne
Venue
The Journal of Immunology
Published
1999-08
Volume
163
Issue
4
Pages
2314-2321
ISSN
  • 0022-1767 (ISSN-L)
  • 1550-6606
OpenAlex
W2139250003
Cited by
350
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 7
FWCI
6.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Journal of Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune Cell Function and Interaction
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Reproductive System and Pregnancy
Keywords
hepatic lymphocytes, natural killer cells, T cells, CD3+CD56+ cells, cytotoxicity, cytokine production, Th1 cytokines, Th2 cytokines, interleukin-2, interferon-gamma, TNF-α, IL-4, γδ T cells, innate immunity, liver
MeSH terms
Adult, Cell Separation, Cells, Cultured, Cytotoxicity, Immunologic, Humans, Killer Cells, Natural, Liver, Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic, Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated, Lymphocyte Subsets, Cytokines, CD3 Complex, Th1 Cells, Th2 Cells, CD56 Antigen

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