title: Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (K) and natural killing (NK) in B-suppressed germ-free nude rats.
abstract: The influence of the thymus and the possible requirement for surface immunoglobulin expression for the development of K and NK activity were assessed in rats. This species was chosen in preference to mice as they show good levels of K-cell activity. Studies were carried out in athymic (rnu/rnu) rats some of which were treated from birth with rabbit anti-rat IgM antibody to suppress B-cell development. The results indicate that normal levels of both K and NK activity develop in the spleens of 6-8-week-old athymic rats, which do not contain cells expressing surface membrane immunoglobulin. While K and NK cells show characteristics of the lymphoid lineage, neither the thymus nor surface membrane immunoglobulin expression appears to be required for development of normal levels of these cytolytic activities.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000276:immunology; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D011922:Rats, Mutant Strains; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera