Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 maintains the immune surveillance function of natural killer cells via the PDK2/mTOR signaling pathway

作者：Zeng, Xiaokang^*; Dong, Xinhuai; Ma, Yanning; Yao, Jie^*

来源：Cell Biology and Toxicology, 2023, 39(5): 2227-2241.

DOI：10.1007/s10565-022-09708-2

• CXCL1
• NK cells
• IFN-gamma
• CD107a
• PDK2
• mTOR

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) is mainly expressed on neutrophils and macrophages and has neutrophil chemoattractant activity. However, natural killer (NK) cells also express CXCL1. We were curious about the role played by CXCL1 in NK cells. Knocking out CXCL1 in hematopoietic cells does not affect the occurrence of NK cells; however, it does hinder NK cell maturity. CXCL1 deletion enhances the expression of immature markers and decreases the expression of functional markers in NK cells, which may explain why it hinders the maturation of NK cells. Specific knockout of CXCL1 in NK cells (CXCL1(flox/flox) Ncr1-cre) leads to impaired IFN-gamma production and degranulation of NK cells. The lack of CXCL1 may prevent IFN-gamma production and degranulation of NK cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT(S473) and S6. Therefore, we have discovered a new role for CXCL1 in regulating NK cell development and immune surveillance, providing a novel theoretical basis for immunotherapy based on NK cells and potential therapeutic targets for the clinical use of NK cells.

• 单位
  xk; 南方医科大学