Activation method for Natural killer cell via regulating SOCS2 expression

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for activating natural killer cells (NK cells), and more particularly, to a method for enhancing the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells by inducing the overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) which is a protein involved in cell-signaling pathways in natural killer cells. The inventors of the present invention observed that when natural killer cells were treated with IL-15, a cytokine involved in natural killer cell differentiation, the expression of SOCS2 increased and the expression of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) was inhibited by the SOCS2, the expression of which increased. In addition, when Pyk2 was overexpressed, the ability to produce IFN- and the ability to kill tumor cells of natural killer cells decreased. Therefore, SOCS2 can be used for activating natural killer cells and the natural killer cells activated by the method can be used for the prevention or treatment of cancer.