title: Severe suppression of the B-cell system has no impact on the maturation of natural killer cells in mice.
abstract: Mice were treated with a heterologous anti-IgM serum to obtain B-cell-deprived mice. Spleen cells from normal and B-cell-deprived mice were tested in three different cytolytic systems: natural killer cells (NK); antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytolysis (ADCC) against an NK-sensitive tumour, P815; and ADCC against chicken erythrocytes. The impact of administration of an interferon-inducing NK enhancing agent, Tilorone, was also investigated. Whereas the cell population from B-cell-deprived mice was significantly suppressed in antibody-producing cells, the capacity to function in NK or ADCC was largely unimpaired both before and after administration of Tilorone. Our results would imply that mature B cells play no significant role in either the maturation of the NK cells or the expression of their cytolytic ability. Furthermore, effector cells for both NK and ADCC against antibody-coated tumour target cells were found to be distinct from those functioning in ADCC against chicken erythrocytes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007106:Immune Sera; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013994:Tilorone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D008934:Mitogens; D013994:Tilorone