title: Development of natural killer cells in human thymocyte culture: regulation by accessory cells.
abstract: In vitro culture of human thymocytes resulted in the development of cells with natural killer (NK) activity and the acquisition of a pan-NK antigen (NKH1) by a large number of thymocytes. The ability to kill the NK-sensitive target, K562, was restricted to thymocytes expressing the NKH1 antigen. All NKH1+ thymocytes displayed a mature T cell phenotype, T3+T11+T8+T4-. Both the acquisition of NK activity and the development of cells with the NKH1+ phenotype could be suppressed by culturing thymocytes in the presence of adherent mononuclear cells. These results suggest that adherent accessory cells have the ability to regulate the development of T cell lineage NK cells.
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2