title: Human thymic and peripheral blood non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic lymphocytes.
abstract: We propose that non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity is mediated by two distinct types of lymphocyte: NK cells and a unique subset of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). Herein, we review experimental data to support the hypothesis that NK cells and non-MHC-restricted CTLs use different recognition structures and arise from distinct lineages. Furthermore, we demonstrate that non-MHC-restricted CTLs can be generated in vitro by culturing thymocytes in recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2).
mesh_terms: D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins