Natural cytotoxic cells against solid tumors in mice. IV. Natural cytotoxic (NC) cells are not activated natural killer (NK) cells

Abstract

Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC), measured against a variety of tumors, is mediated by at least two sub-populations of effector cells: natural cytotoxic (NC) and natural killer (NK). The studies described in this report show that target lysis by NC cells requires a prolonged (18- to 24 h) assay period, whereas NC-susceptible targets can be lysed in short-term (4h) [3H]-proline assays using allo-sensitized CTL or mitogen-activated cytotoxic populations. NC cells are not "activated" during the long-term assay as indicated by: (1) demonstrating that lysis of NC-susceptible targets in long-term (20 h) 51Cr assays is still the function of a Qa-5- effector cell (NC) and (2) the fact that preincubation of the NC effector cell with susceptible targets for 18 h did not result in the activation of an NK-like population (kinetics of target lysis were comparable to those noted with fresh NC cell preparations). We show that NC cell activity is preserved in both the beige mutant and the PL/J mouse strains, both of which exhibit low NK cell activity, even in long-term assays. These combined studies support the view that NC and NK cell activities are the function of distinct cell types and not the property of a single cell class under different states of activation.

Genetic influence on immune phenotype revealed strain-specific variations in peripheral blood lineages

“…MOLF/EiJ and PL/J exhibited low expression of all three NK specific cell surface markers such as NK1.1, Lgl-1, and NKG2A/C/E (data not included). Our results showing NK cell deficiency in peripheral blood obtained from PL/J mice correlated with previously reported decreased NK activity in the same strain (10). Interestingly, NZO/HlLtJ, NON/LtJ, and NZW/Lac/J, all members of group 3, had high percentages of NK cells (Table 4).…”

Murine non‐lymphoid tumors are lysed by a combination of NK and NC cells

“…We have previously shown that, whereas NK cell activity can be removed by pretreating effector cells with antiQa-5 + C in the appropriate strains, NC cell activity is unaffected (Lattime et al, 1981(Lattime et al, , 1982b. Since NC activity requires a long-term (18 h) assay, it was necessary to show that the pretreatment of the effector cells with anti-Qa-5 + C resulted in the elimination of NK cell activity when measured in the prolonged assay.…”

Specific (EMT6) and non-specific (WEHI-164) cytolytic activity by host cells infiltrating tumour spheroids

“…NC activity is (Sutherland & Durand, 1984;MacDonald & Sordat, 1980). against some different targets such as the WEHI-164 However, unlike solid tumours, MTS are easily dissociated sarcoma and is mediated by Thyl-cells (Lattime et al, 1982; into single cells by a mild trypsinization without loss of cell 1983). Recently it has been shown that NC activity may be viability or function.…”

“…(DeLustro & Haskill, 1978). Natural killer (NK) cells and natural cytotoxic (NC) cells have been shown to have Tumour system spontaneous cytolytic activity against a wide variety of ET sammaysroawihaoesotnosyi tumours (Lattime et at., 1982 (Cikes et al, 1973). WEHI-164, a fibrosarcoma, prior to chromium release assay.…”

“…The anti-WEHI-164 killers were present in spleen cells, SAC and PC from unimmunized mice where anti-EMT6 activity was not evident (Figure 3). The anti-WEHI-164 activity may have been mediated by NC cells (Lattime et al, 1982;1983). Recently it has been shown that NC activity may be mediated by TNF, a macrophage derived factor (Ortaldo et al, 1986).…”