Inhibition of WNK Kinases in NK Cells Disrupts Cellular Osmoregulation and Control of Tumor Metastasis

Introduction: The serine/threonine with-no-lysine (WNK) kinase family function in blood pressure control, electrolyte homeostasis, and cellular osmoregulation. These kinases and their downstream effectors are considered promising therapeutic targets in hypertension and stroke. However, the role of WNK kinases in immune cells remains poorly understood.

Methods: Using the small-molecule WNK kinase inhibitors WNK463 and WNK-IN-11, we investigated how WNK kinase inhibition affects natural killer (NK) cell physiology.

Results: WNK kinase inhibition with WNK463 or WNK-IN-11 significantly decreased IL-2-activated NK cell volume, motility, and cytolytic activity. Treatment of NK cells with these inhibitors induced Autophagy by activating AMPK and inhibiting mTOR signaling. Moreover, WNK kinase inhibition increased phosphorylation of Akt and c-Myc by misaligning activity of activating kinases and inhibitory phosphatases. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with WNK463 impaired tumor metastasis control by adoptively transferred NK cells.

Conclusion: The catalytic activity of WNK kinases has a critical role of multiple aspects of NK cell physiology and their pharmacologic inhibition negatively impacts NK cell function.

Autophagy; Cytotoxicity; Natural killer; Osmoregulation; WNK kinases.