CD3-negative natural killer cells express zeta TCR as part of a novel molecular complex.
Natural killer (NK) cells are large granular lymphocytes capable of killing tumour cells in a non-MHC restricted manner. NK cells do not express cell-surface CD3, or any known target recognition structure analogous to the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) heterodimers (alpha beta or gamma delta). Consistent with their lack of expression of a CD3-TCR complex, NK cells do not require prior sensitization or antigen presentation by accessory cells to specifically recognize their tumour targets. Although NK cells do not express CD3-TCR, they do express CD2, the target of an alternative activation pathway which is functional in both T cells and NK cells. In T cells, this alternative activation pathway utilizes some component of the CD3-TCR complex as a transducer molecule that is required for mitogenesis. The fact that NK cells are activated by this alternative pathway suggested that they might express a related subunit of the CD3-TCR complex capable of transducing the CD2-mediated signal. Here we show that human NK cells express the zeta-chain of the TCR complex in association with additional structures not included in CD3-TCR.
Anderson
P
P
Division of Tumor Immunology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Caligiuri
M
M
Ritz
J
J
Schlossman
S F
SF
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D017252:CD3 Complex; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell