Human natural cytotoxic lymphocytes: definition by a monoclonal antibody of a subset which kills an anchorage-dependent target cell line but not the K-562 cell line.
A monoclonal mouse antibody (HNC-1A3) which defines a subset of human lymphocytes with natural cytotoxic activity was produced and studied. HNC-1A3+ cells represent 12 +/- 3% of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes. When sorted out using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter, they consist of 60% small lymphocytes, 35% large (predominantly agranular) lymphocytes, and 5% monocytes. They contain 30 +/- 6% E-rosette-forming cells, 6 +/- 1% OKT4+ cells, 17 +/- 6% OKT8+ cells and less than 2% OKT10+ or Leu-7 (HNK-1)+ cells. They are responsible for most of the natural cytotoxic activity against the MA-160 prostatic adenoma cell line but mediate an insignificant amount of cytotoxicity against the NK prototype target K562 cell line. Conversely, Leu-7+ cells which mediate most NK activity against K562 are weakly active against MA-160. Our data suggest a heterogeneity among leukocytes mediating natural cytotoxicity, with restricted specificities for the recognition sites on target cells.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D004915:Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003165:Complement System Proteins