Migratory Response of Human NK Cells to Monocyte-Chemotactic Proteins

NK cells are present mostly in blood and spleen but under certain pathological and physiological conditions rapidly accumulate at extrahematic sites. The present study investigates the responsiveness of NK cells to C-C chemokines and the mechanisms of emigration from the bloodstream. MCP-1 induced migration across polycarbonate filters of IL-2-activated NK cells, whereas it was a weak attractant for unstimulated cells. The related chemokines MCP-2 and MCP-3 were also active. IL-2-activated NK cells showed specific binding sites for labeled MCP-1, and cell migration was inhibited by both cholera and Bordetella pertussis toxins. In agreement with functional assays the expression of mRNA specific for MCP-1 receptors was detectable only in IL-2-activated NK cells. The ability of NK cells to respond to MCP-1 and related chemokines may be one important determinant of NK cell emigration and recruitment in tissues.