Lymphocytes expressing type 3 complement receptors proliferate in response to interleukin 2 and are the precursors of lymphokine-activated killer cells.
In the absence of antigenic or mitogenic stimulation, certain peripheral blood lymphocytes exhibit proliferative and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activities when cultured with recombinant IL-2. Both activities were found to be an exclusive property of lymphocytes expressing type 3 complement receptors (CR3) identified by anti-CD11 monoclonal antibodies. CD11+ lymphocytes were then fractionated into three subsets by two-color flow cytometry. These included CD16+ cells, which display distinctive Fc receptors for IgG (CD16). Using anti-CD5, the CD11+ CD16- lymphocytes were separated into non-T cell and T cell subsets. The two non-T cell subsets (CD11+ CD16+ and CD11+ CD16- CD5-), but not the T cell subset (CD11+ CD16- CD5+), could proliferate in response to IL-2. Both CD11+ non-T cell subsets, but not the CD11+ T cell subset, had the capacity to mediate natural killer cell activity. However, all three CD11+ lymphocyte subsets were capable of generating LAK activity. These findings are consistent with the concept that two signals are required to stimulate T cells to proliferate. However, at least a small subset of blood T cells can be activated by IL-2 to become LAK cells.
Gray
J D
JD
University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033.
Horwitz
D A
DA
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000276:immunology*; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2