Leu-7-positive cells with monocyte phenotype show different ultrastructural features in comparison to Leu-7-positive cells with T-cell phenotype.
The ultrastructural features of the Leu-7-positive - Leu-M3-positive cell subpopulation and the Leu-7-positive - Leu-4-positive cell subpopulation were characterized and compared using immunogold-immunoperoxidase double labelling with immunoelectron microscopy. The majority of Leu-7-positive cells coexpressed a monocyte phenotype and showed an ultrastructural pattern specific for functional natural killer (NK) cells, i.e. a low nuclear/cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio, an irregular outline, many cytoplasmic organelles and electron-dense granules. In contrast, only a minority of Leu-7-positive cells coexpressed a T phenotype, and these were characterized by a high N/C ratio, an even surface and the absence of electron-dense granules. Thus, Leu-7-positive - Leu-4-positive cells may by an immature form of NK cells, and Leu-7-positive - Leu-4-positive and Leu-7-positive - Leu-M3-positive cell subpopulations may represent different stages of Leu-7-positive cell differentiation.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface