title: In vitro generated mast cells express natural cytotoxicity against tumour cells.
abstract: Bone marrow cells from mice were cultured in vitro in the presence of interleukin-3 (IL-3). After 2 weeks, the majority of the cells differentiated towards mast cells as judged by morphological and biochemical criteria. When populations of 99% IL-3-dependent mast cells (IL-3 MC) were tested for their anti-tumour activity in vitro, it was found that they can express natural cytotoxicity (NC) but not other natural reactivities. Moreover, the effector cells were not positive for Thy 1, Lyt 1 and Lyt 2 markers. The capability of mast cells to express NC activity seems to be related to their in vitro differentiation, since mast cell deficient W/Wv mice had normal NC activity. Thus, IL-3 MC must be added to the variety of cells capable of expressing natural anti-tumour reactivities in vitro.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007377:Interleukin-3; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007377:Interleukin-3; D008222:Lymphokines