Embryonic neural cell adhesion molecules on human natural killer cells.
The neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) are surface glycoproteins that were first described in brain tissue. NCAM mediate adhesion in a variety of cell-cell interactions. In the present study we show that the so-called "embryonic" NCAM, i.e., the highly polysialylated forms of these proteins, are expressed on natural killer cells and some CD3+ cells in man. Homotypic binding of NCAM, believed to be of importance for cell-cell adhesion in neural tissues, appears not to be essential for NK cell-mediated killing. Yet, NCAM might be involved in NK cell migration, homing or related functions.
Husmann
M
M
Institute for Medical Microbiology, Pathophysiology Section, Mainz, FRG.
Pietsch
T
T
Fleischer
B
B
Weisgerber
C
C
Bitter-Suermann
D
D
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000378:metabolism*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell