Table 1.
Transcription factors involved in NK cell development as determined by mouse knockout models
| Transcription Factor | Phenotype of Knockout Mouse | References |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment | ||
| Ets-1 | Decrease in NK cell numbers | [23] |
| Impaired NKcell mediated cytotoxicity and IFN-γ secretion | ||
| PU.1* | Reduced production of NKPs and mNKs | [26] |
| Altered expression of receptors involved in development | ||
| Defective proliferation in response to cytokines | ||
| Maturation | ||
| STAT5 | Developmental block at the NKP-iNK stage resulting in diminished | [31-33] |
| E4BP4 | NK cell numbers | |
| Decrease in iNK cell numbers | [35] | |
| Almost undetectable mNK cells | ||
| Impaired NK cell mediated cytotoxicity | ||
| Id2 | Decrease in mNK cell numbers | [36] |
| Functional Maturation | ||
| MEF | Decrease in NK cell numbers | [39] |
| Impaired NK cell mediated cytotoxicity and IFN-γ secretion | ||
| Defective perforin expression | ||
| T-bet | Decrease in NK cell numbers | [40] |
| NK cells appear immature | ||
| Impaired NK cell mediated cytotoxicity and IFN-γ secretion | ||
| BLIMP1 | Decrease in peripheral mNK cell numbers | [42] |
| Decrease in Granzyme B expression | ||
*
PU.1-/- mice die embryonically, therefore the role of PU.1 in NK development was determined by transfer of PU.1-/- fetal liver hematopoietic stem cells to Rag1-/-γc-/- mice. NK: Natural Killer; NKP: NK progenitors; iNK: immature NK; mNK: mature NK; IFN-γ: interferon-γ STAT: signal transducer and activator of transcription; MEF: myeloid ELF1 (E74-like factor 1)-like factor