p21 and p15 are elevated in IT patients and induce the arrest of the NK cell cycle.

<p>(A) NK cells were stimulated for 30 min, 12 h and 72 h with TGF-β1. Total cell lysates were analysed using immunoblotting with antibodies against Smad-2, Smad-2P, p15 and p21. Data are representative of three independent experiments. (B) NK cells were stimulated for 72 h with IT serum or hepatitis ascites in the absence (−) or presence (+) of TGF-β1 Ab. NK cells were lysed, and the lysates were immunoblotted with Abs against Smad-2, Smad-2P, p15 or p21. Data are representative of three independent experiments. (C) Freshly isolated NK cells were obtained from the peripheral blood of healthy controls and IT-phase patients and analysed by western blotting. The results for Smad-2, Smad-2P, p15 and p21 are shown. Data are representative of at least four independent experiments.