Large granular lymphocytes: morphological and functional properties. I. Results in normals.
Large granular lymphocytes (LGL) represent a morphologically distinct mononuclear cell type. In healthy individuals an average of 12.5 +/- 5.2% of peripheral mononuclear cells exhibit this morphology. Structurally they are characterized by azurophilic granules, light cell density, low surface adherence and expression of Fc-IgG receptors. Functional analyses on LGL suspensions enriched by means of density gradient fractionation and adherence procedures included testing of T-cell and monocyte-specific in vitro reactions as well as evaluation of their natural cytotoxicity (NC). Results indicated a close correlation between the percentages of LGL and the capacity to bind and to lyse NC-susceptible tumor targets. In agreement with others we would thus conclude that LGL embrace the majority of NK-effector cells. The morphological definition of LGL provides an additional tool for the clinical evaluation of this cell mediated immune reactivity.
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003720:Densitometry; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008934:Mitogens; D011961:Receptors, Fc
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008934:Mitogens; D011961:Receptors, Fc