Related Experiment Videos
Extracellular ATP as a possible mediator of cell-mediated cytotoxicity
F Di Virgilio1, P Pizzo, P Zanovello
1CNR Center for the Study of the Physiology of Mitochondria, Institute of General Pathology, Padova, Italy.
Abstract:
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells lyse target cells by a specialized mechanism that involves the release of soluble 'killer' mediators. While several possible mediators have been demonstrated, it is likely that others have yet to be identified. For more than two decades it has been known that exogenous ATP is lytic to many cell types. In this article Francesco Di Virgilio and colleagues propose that extracellular ATP may be a mediator of cytotoxic cell-dependent lysis.
Insights
Extracellular ATP may mediate cell lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells. This study proposes ATP as a novel killer mediator in cell-dependent cytotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells eliminate target cells via specialized cytotoxic mechanisms.
- These mechanisms involve the release of soluble 'killer' mediators, though not all have been identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a mediator in cytotoxic cell-dependent lysis.
- To propose extracellular ATP as a novel mediator contributing to cell killing.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cytotoxic cell mechanisms and extracellular ATP.
- Analysis of established data on the lytic effects of exogenous ATP on various cell types.
Main Results:
- Extracellular ATP has demonstrated lytic effects on numerous cell types for over two decades.
- The known lytic mechanisms of CTL and NK cells involve mediator release.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular ATP is proposed as a potential mediator in the cytotoxic cell-dependent lysis of target cells.
- Further research is warranted to confirm ATP's role as a killer mediator in cellular cytotoxicity.