Natural cytotoxic T cells (NCTC) that differ from natural killer (NK) and natural cytotoxic (NC) cells are present in Peyer's patches of mice

Cytotoxic Lymphocytes in Mucosal Effector Sites

“…Peyer's patch lymphocytes have higher levels of NC activity than either spleen or peripheral lymph node lymphocytes (Tagliabue et al, 1983(Tagliabue et al, /1984). Peyer's patch lymphocytes obtained from conventionally reared mice also were found to contain a population of novel naturally cytotoxic effector cells that have been termed natural cytotoxic T cells (NCTC) (Gautam et al, 1986). NCTC effector cells were able to lyse a wide variety of syngeneic and allogeneic tumor cell lines as well as syngeneic or allogeneic Con A-induced T lymphoblasts.…”

“…NCTC effector cells were able to lyse a wide variety of syngeneic and allogeneic tumor cell lines as well as syngeneic or allogeneic Con A-induced T lymphoblasts. These cells are characterized as plastic nonadherent, nylon wool adherent Thy 1 + Ia + asialo-GMl + T cells (Gautam et al, 1986) and have been identified in several inbred strains of mice. Of all lymphoid tissues tested, only Peyer's patch lymphocytes were found to contain NCTC activity.…”