Lymphocytes Negatively Regulate NK Cell Activity via Qa-1b following Viral Infection

Abstract

NK cells can reduce anti-viral Tcell immunity during chronic viral infections, including infection with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). However, regulating factors that maintain the equilibrium between productive Tcell and NK cell immunity are poorly understood. Here, we show that a large viral load resulted in inhibition of NK cell activation, which correlated with increased expression of Qa-1b, a ligand for inhibitory NK cell receptors. Qa-1b was predominantly upregulated on B cells following LCMV infection, and this upregulation was dependent on type I interferons. Absence of Qa-1b resulted in increased NK cell-mediated regulation of anti-viral T cells following viral infection. Consequently, anti-viral Tcell immunity was reduced in Qa-1b- and NKG2A-deficient mice, resulting in increased viral replication and immunopathology. NK cell depletion restored anti-viral immunity and virus control in the absence of Qa-1b. Taken together, our findings indicate that lymphocytes limit NK cell activity during viral infection in order to promote anti-viral Tcell immunity.