Runx3 function in splenic NK cells activated in vivo by IL-15.

NK cells are innate immune cells that recognize and kill foreign, virally-infected and tumor cells without the need for prior immunization. NK expansion following viral infection is IL-2 or IL-15-dependent. To identify Runx3 regulated genes, NK cells were isolated from spleen of IL15/Ra injected WT and Runx3-/- mice and sorted to obtain 3 subpopulations of immature (CD27) and mature (DP and CD11c) NK cells.

自然杀伤细胞（NK cells）是一类先天免疫细胞，无需预先免疫致敏即可识别并杀伤外来病原体、病毒感染细胞与肿瘤细胞。病毒感染后NK细胞的扩增依赖于白细胞介素-2（IL-2）或白细胞介素-15（IL-15）信号。为鉴定Runx3调控的基因，研究人员从经IL15/Ra注射的野生型（WT）及Runx3基因敲除（Runx3-/-）小鼠的脾脏中分离NK细胞，并通过分选获得未成熟（CD27表型）、成熟双阳性（DP）及CD11c表型的NK细胞三个亚群。