Modulation of human NK cells by interferon and prostaglandin E2

Our studies have shown that stimulation of human natural killer (NK) cells by poly I:C does not depend on or require monocytes. In contrast, the presence of monocytes in a mixed population of mononuclear cells stimulated by poly I:C suppresses NK activity. The suppression can be partially overcome if indomethacin (10(-6) M) is added to the culture during stimulation. Culture supernatants from poly I:C stimulated monocytes do not have detectable levels of anti-viral activity but contained appreciable amounts of PGE2. Our results offer an explanation as to how NK cells may protect themselves from suppression by PGE2. We have demonstrated that IFN-activated NK cells become resistant to PGE2-mediated suppression; moreover the suppression does not require cells other than the large granular lymphocytes, the major effector cell type for NK. Taken together, the data suggest that stimulation of NK cells is dependent on and regulated by the relative levels of interferon produced by lymphocytes and PGE2 produced by monocytes.