Natural and antibody-dependent killer cells in the thymus.
Thymocytes contain a small population of light (o = 1.067), large cells with high cytolytic potential against natural killer target as well as against IgG- or IgM-coated erythrocytes and nucleated cells, thus displaying natural killer and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity functions, but not exhibiting T killer cell capacity. As far as characterized, the cells show T cell characteristics: they are nonadherent, nonphagocytic, surface immunoglobulin-negative, C3 receptor-negative, partly Fc gamma receptor-positive, carry the receptor for Helix pomatia A agglutinin, and are, at least partly, cortisone-resistant and Thy-1-positive. The implications of this finding with respect to the lineage of natural killer and killer cells and their interdependence will be discussed briefly.
D000818:Animals; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D007372:Interferons / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D007372:Interferons