Non-lytic pre-NK cells are enriched in the spleen as a result of long-term depletion of mature NK cells with anti-NK-1.1 monoclonal antibody.
In this study, we wanted to establish a new model as an alternative to bone marrow, where non-lytic pre-NK cells can be further studied with respect to phenotype and relation to other haematopoietic cell lineages. B6 mice were depleted of mature NK cells by either weekly injections from birth, or a single injection as adults, with the monoclonal antibody anti NK-1.1, and the frequency of interleukin-2 (IL-2)-responding cells (as determined by cytotoxicity or proliferation) was investigated. By comparing the frequency of IL-2-induced cytotoxic cells between NK-1.1(-) mice depleted from NK cells by a single injection with those depleted from birth, we observed a 3-fold higher frequency in mice depleted from birth [1/(11,941 +/- 30) vs. 1/(29,903 +/- 104)]. Non-lytic pre-NK cells were further enriched by selective in vitro depletion of sIg+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells. In this non-B, non-T spleen cell population the frequency of cells proliferating in response to 7 days culture with IL-2 or IL-3 was 2-fold higher in NK-1.1(-) mice than in control mice [1/(4,340 +/- 27) vs. 1/(9,250 +/- 67) and 1/(3,370 +/- 41) vs. 1/(7,610 +/- 50), respectively]. We conclude that NK depletion from birth results in an enhanced frequency of pre-NK cells, and propose this as a model to further study the identity of the progenitor and pre-NK cell.
Sitnicka
E
E
Department of Surgical Research and Transplantation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw.
Petersson
M
M
Hansson
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007377:Interleukin-3; D011994:Recombinant Proteins