Stimulus-dependent triggering or inhibition of cytotoxicity in human cytotoxic T lymphocytes by activators of protein kinase C.

The influence of activators of protein kinase C (PKC) on the delivery of the lethal hit by human cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones was studied. In the absence of other signals, short-term incubation with two structurally unrelated activators of PKC, but not with a non-activating phorbolester, resulted in significant triggering of CTL, whereas overnight incubation with PKC activators led to reduction of cytotoxic activity. Furthermore, activation of PKC had an inhibitory effect on simultaneous triggering by anti-T3 monoclonal antibodies or by phytohaemagglutinin, but strongly enhanced the activating effect of anti-T11 antibodies. These results suggest that PKC is part of the cascade of signals transmitted within a CTL after triggering.