Influenza infection enhances antibody-mediated NK cell functions via Type I interferon dependent pathways

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Jegaskanda, Sinthujan;Vanderven, Hillary A.;Tan, Hyon-Xhi;Alcantara, Sheilajen;Wragg, Kathleen;Parsons, Matthew S.;Chung, Amy;Juno, Jennifer A.;Kent, Stephen J.
Abstract

NK cells are an important component in the control of influenza infection, acting to both clear virus-infected cells and release antiviral cytokines. Engagement of CD16 on NK cells by antibody-coated influenza-infected cells results in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Increasing the potency of antibody-mediated NK cell activity could ultimately lead to improved control of influenza infection. To understand if NK cells can be functionally enhanced following exposure to influenza virus-infected cells, we co-cultured human PBMCs with influenza-infected human alveolar epithelial (A549) cells and evaluated the capacity of NK cells to mediate antibody-dependent functions. Pre-incubation of PBMCs with influenza-infected cells markedly enhanced the ability of NK cells to respond to immune complexes containing HA and anti-HA antibodies or transformed allogenic cells in the presence or absence of a therapeutic monoclonal antibody. Cytokine multiplex, RNA sequencing, supernatant transfer, trans-well and cytokine blocking/supplementation experiments showed that type I interferons released from PBMCs were primarily responsible for the influenza-induced enhancement of antibody-mediated NK cell functions. Importantly, the influenza-mediated increase in antibody-dependent NK cell functionality was mimicked by the type I interferon agonist poly(I:C). We conclude that type I interferon secretion induced by influenza virus infection enhances the capacity of NK cells to mediate ADCC, and this pathway could be manipulated to alter the potency of anti-influenza therapies and vaccines.

Journal

Journal of Virology

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Volume

9

ISBN/ISSN

1098-5514

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Issue

5

Pages Count

23

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Publisher

American Society for Microbiology

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DOI

10.1128/JVI.02090-18