Determination of surface antigens on highly purified human NK cells by flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies.
We examined highly purified populations of NK cells, T cells, monocytes, and PMN with a variety of monoclonal reagents presumed specific for T cells and monocytes. The enriched NK cells showed a pattern of reactivity that was distinct from that of the other 3 populations, sharing antigens with T cells but also sharing antigens with monocytes and/or PMN. A portion of the enriched NK cells expressed OKT8, OKT10, and Lyt-3 antigens that were reported previously as T cell-associated antigens, but no reactivity was seen with other T cell-associated antigens (OKT3, OKT4, OKT6, and OKT11). In addition a portion of the enriched NK cells were positive for OKM1, asialo-GM1, and Ia antigens, which are undetectable on typical T cells but are present on PMN and/or monocytes. By depletion of antigen-positive cells on antibody monolayers, it was found that the activity of the enriched NK population was associated mainly with cells reactive with OKT10, OKM1, and Lyt-3. Although considerable evidence exists to support the T lineage of NK cells, the sharing of some antigens by NK cells and monocytes has suggested a possible relationship of NK cells to cells of the monocyte lineage. A possibility certainly exists that NK cells are not in either T cell or monocyte lineages and may represent a separate lineage of lymphoid cells.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000145:classification; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002469:Cell Separation; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II