Transcriptional profile of human NK cells treated with IL15, HODHBt or a combination of both

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) protein family are transcription factors that mediate diverse aspects of cellular immunology. The localization and function of STATs is regulated at the posttranslational level by phosphorylation, acetylation and SUMOylation. 3-Hydroxy-1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-one (HODHBt) is a benzotriazin compound that enhances STAT5 activation; increasing STAT5 nuclear presence and transcriptional activity in human CD4 T cells. In this study, we are interested in understanding the transcriptional changes that HODHBt mediates in NK cells. NK cells are effector cells of the innate immune system that control tumors and microbial infections by limiting their spread and subsequent tissue damage, and their manipulation seems to hold promise in efforts to develop immunotherapy strategies. With the help of this RNASeq, we have characterized the transcriptome profile of primary human NK cells after exposure to IL-15 (an NK activating cytokine), HODHBt or a combination of both. Experiments have been done in cells isolated from both male and female donors to determine whether biological sex influences the activity of this compound.