Characterization of two morphologically distinct Leu-7+ cell subsets with respect to Leu-15 antigen. Evaluation of Leu-15 determinant distribution on both E rosetting and non-adherent non-E rosetting cell populations.
In the present study the fine structures of Leu-7+-Leu-15+ and Leu-7+-Leu-15- cell subpopulations were characterized by using an immunogold-immunoperoxidase double labelling in electron microscopy. The densities of Leu-15 antigenic sites on both E rosetting (Er) and non-adherent/non-E rosetting (non-A/non-Er) Leu-15 positive cell surfaces were also evaluated by using an immunogold analysis in electron microscopy. A majority of Leu-7+ cells co-expressed the Leu-15 antigen and showed an ultrastructural pattern specific for mature natural killer (NK) cells, i.e. abundant cytoplasm with many organelles, numerous electron dense granules, and irregular outline. On the other hand, a minority of Leu-7+ cells did not express the Leu-15 antigen and showed a clearly different ultrastructural feature in comparison to Leu-7+-Leu-15+ cells. Thus, the presence of the Leu-15 antigen on Leu-7+ cell surface corresponds to ultrastructural features specific to differentiated NK cells and may represent an expression of Leu-7+ cell differentiation. An alternative hypothesis may be that Leu-7+-Leu-15+ and Leu-7+-Leu-15- cells represent distinct cell lineages within non-A/non-Er Leu-7+ cells. Finally, the results of the present study provide proof that Leu-15 antigen is more frequently represented on non-A/non-Er Leu-15+ cells than on Er Leu-15+ cells.
Manara
G C
GC
Ferrari
C
C
Scandroglio
R
R
Rocchi
G
G
Pagani
L
L
De Panfilis
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged; D012397:Rosette Formation
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000939:Epitopes; D006046:Gold