title: Lymph node anti-tumour effector cell mechanisms in colorectal carcinoma.
abstract: Eighty lymph nodes from 61 cases of colorectal carcinoma were studied by in vitro microcytotoxicity assay. It was found that 25 nodes (31%) from 22 of these cases (36%) contained lymphoid cells which were cytotoxic against autologous carcinoma cells in vitro. Lymph node cells (LNC) were not cytotoxic against 51Cr chicken red blood cells (CRBC). This assay was used as an indicator of natural killer cell (NK) activity. Comparably, normal control peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were cytotoxic against CRBC but not against colonic target cells obtained from surgical biopsy specimens. Fc receptor-bearing cells, monitored by cytotoxicity against antibody-coated CRBC, were detected in 50 and 60% of cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic LNC populations. The varying effects of E- and EAC-rosette fractionation and iron filing treatment of effector cells indicate that regional LNC cytotoxicity in colorectal carcinoma is a complex phenomenon, which, however, is predominantly a function of E-rosetting lymphocytes. Lymphocytes obtained from all regional nodes were capable of responding to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The relative proportion of T lymphocytes (E-rosetting cells) was significantly higher in those lymph node suspensions which were cytotoxic against colon carcinoma cells.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D010835:Phytohemagglutinins