title: Similarities between LAK cells derived from human thymocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes: expression of the NKH-1 and CD3 antigens.
abstract: Human thymocytes are devoid of NK cells but develop lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity after culture with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). The most active precursor for this activity appears to be a CD3-negative cell. The purpose of these studies was to compare the phenotype and functional activities of thymocyte and peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) LAK cells. Following culture, rIL-2-activated thymocytes resemble PBL-generated LAk and PBL NK cells. For each of these populations, lytic activity is highest in NKH-1-positive cells. Two-color fluorescence of each population also indicates that NKH-1+ cells are highly granular, as measured by staining with the lysosomotropic vital dye quinacrine. PBL, PBL-derived LAK cells, and thymus-derived LAK cells have a portion of cells that express both CD3 and NKH-1. However, approximately 60-80% of NKH-1+ cells lack detectable CD3. This suggests that both CD3+ and CD3- cells may be capable of LAK activity. Thymic-derived LAK cells respond to interferon in a manner very similar to NK and PBL-derived LAK cells, but lack the NK-associated CD16 antigen. Thus, despite the absence of NK cells in the thymus, it is possible to generate thymocyte LAK activity which bears a strong resemblance to LAK activity derived from peripheral blood lymphocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, UCLA School of Medicine.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Ramsdell
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Golub
mesh_terms: D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D017252:CD3 Complex; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011796:Quinacrine; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D007370:Interferon Type I; D008222:Lymphokines; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011796:Quinacrine