PD-L1 expression is induced on cytokine-stimulated human NK cells and contributes to IFN-γ production

Abstract

Natural Killer (NK) cells are critical effectors against tumor and virus-infected cells, and their activity is modulated by multiple inhibitory and activating receptors and cytokines. Tumor-experienced NK cells express high levels of PD-L1, and PD-L1+ NK cells inhibit T cell priming. PD-L1 cell-intrinsic signaling pathways were described in tumor cells. The objective of this work was to study PD-L1 expression on cytokine-stimulated human NK cells and to evaluate PD-L1-mediated regulation of NK cell effector functions.