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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Intralymphatic Immunotherapy and Vaccination in Mice
Published on: February 2, 2014
Enhancement of lymphocyte proliferation by mouse glandular kallikrein
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Mouse glandular kallikrein (mGK) strongly enhanced the spontaneous and mitogen-induced proliferation of lymphocytes. Both blast formation and 3H-TdR incorporation were dose-dependently enhanced at the same time many cells were killed. The enhancing activity was independent of EGF, because EGF-binding proteins (mGK-9 in mGK-6,9 mixture and mGK-13), renal kallikrein (mGK-6) and human kallikrein all displayed the same enhancement. A serine proteinase inhibitor, diisopropyl fluorophosphate, could block the enhancement by mGK. The new function suggests that mGK is important in the immune system as a regulatory molecule.
Insights
Mouse glandular kallikrein (mGK) enhances lymphocyte proliferation and cell death, acting as a regulatory molecule in the immune system. This kallikrein
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Lymphocyte proliferation is crucial for immune responses.
- Kallikreins are serine proteases with diverse physiological roles.
- The immunomodulatory functions of mouse glandular kallikrein (mGK) are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mouse glandular kallikrein (mGK) in lymphocyte proliferation and cell viability.
- To determine if mGK's effects are mediated through epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathways.
- To explore the enzymatic requirements for mGK's immunomodulatory activity.
Main Methods:
- Lymphocyte cultures were treated with varying concentrations of mGK.
- Cell proliferation was assessed by blast formation and 3H-thymidine incorporation.
- Enzyme inhibition assays were performed using diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP).
Main Results:
- mGK significantly enhanced both spontaneous and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.
- mGK also induced lymphocyte cell death.
- The enhancing activity was observed with various kallikreins and was independent of EGF.
- DFP, a serine proteinase inhibitor, blocked the enhancing effects of mGK.
Conclusions:
- Mouse glandular kallikrein (mGK) possesses novel immunomodulatory functions, enhancing lymphocyte proliferation and cell death.
- mGK's activity is likely mediated by its serine protease function, independent of EGF.
- mGK may play a significant regulatory role in the immune system.
