Surface markers of NK cells in peripheral blood of patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
The surface markers and NK activity of blood lymphocytes in 38 normal controls, 57 cirrhotic patients and 22 cirrhotics with hepatocellular carcinoma were studied by the flow cytofluorometry using monoclonal antibodies. A reduction of OKM1+ cells was remarkable in cirrhotics, and a further decrease in HNK-1+ cells as well as OKM1+ cells was observed in cirrhotics with hepatocellular carcinoma, accompanied by depression of NK activity. We postulate that the decreased NK activity in these patients may result from the disturbed maturation of NK cells.
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood*; D002469:Cell Separation; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface