Identification of a cell-surface antigen selectively expressed on the natural killer cell.
We have studied the cell-surface phenotype of natural killer (NK) cells of NZB and B6 mice which react to an MuLV+ lymphoid tumor. (a) NK cells do not express Thy1, Ly2, or Ig surface markers. (b) NK cells express an antigen recognized by C3H anti-CE antiserum ('anti-Ly1.2 antiserum'). Inasmuch as NK activity of spleen cells from B6 and B6/Ly1.1 congenic strains were both equally sensitive to C3H anti-CE antiserum, the NK antigen is distinct from Ly1.2. This point was confirmed by the observation that alphaNK activity was removed by absorption of C3H anti-CE antiserum with spleen cells from either B6 or B6/Ly1.1 congenic strains. Absorption of C3H alphaCE serum with BALB/c thymocytes and spleen cells (which are Ly1.2+NK-) removed anti-Ly1.2 activity and left anti-NK activity intact. This absorption step could be circumvented by inserting the BALB/c genotype into the recipient immunized to CE cells (i.e., (C3H X BALB/c)F1 alphaCE spleen cells). This antiserum, provisionally termed 'anti-NK', defines a new subclass of lymphocytes which may play a central role in the immunosurveillance against tumors.
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000032:analysis; D009052:Leukemia Virus, Murine / Q000276:immunology; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D007519:Isoantigens