Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports
07:44

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports

Published on: November 28, 2019

Tumor microenvironmental conversion of natural killer cells into myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Young-Jun Park1, Boyeong Song, Yun-Sun Kim

  • 1Authors' Affiliations: Laboratory of Immunology, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy; WCU, Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University; Neonatal Vaccinology Section, International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park; and Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Inje University, Gimhae, Gyungnam, Korea.

Cancer Research
|July 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) converts natural killer (NK) cells into myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Interleukin-2 (IL-2) prevents this conversion, offering new insights into tumor immune evasion.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • The mechanisms by which myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) develop within the tumor microenvironment are not fully understood.
  • MDSCs play a critical role in suppressing anti-tumor immunity and promoting tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of natural killer (NK) cells to differentiate into MDSCs.
  • To identify the specific NK cell populations and factors involved in this conversion process.

Main Methods:

  • Adoptive transfer of NK cells into tumor-bearing mice.
  • In vitro and in vivo treatment with cytokines (GM-CSF and IL-2).
  • Flow cytometry analysis of NK cell phenotype and maturation markers (CD11b, CD27, Ly6C, Ly6G).

Main Results:

  • Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induced the conversion of NK cells into MDSCs (Ly6C(high)Ly6G(high)).
  • Interleukin-2 (IL-2) inhibited this NK cell to MDSC conversion.
  • Immature NK cells (CD11b(high)CD27(high)) were identified as the specific subset capable of differentiating into MDSCs (CD11b(+)Gr1(+)) ex vivo.

Conclusions:

  • Immature NK cells represent a novel source of MDSCs in tumor-bearing hosts.
  • This pathway highlights a mechanism by which tumors may manipulate the immune microenvironment to evade immune surveillance.
  • Targeting NK cell differentiation could offer new therapeutic strategies against cancer.

More Related Videos

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro10:36

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro

Published on: January 9, 2018

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...