NK and K cell activity of human blood: differences according to sex, age, and disease.
We report a study on the activity of NK cells ('natural' killer cells) and K cells (antibody-dependent killer cells) in human peripheral blood in health and disease. The 'targets' used were cells of the Chang cell-line, sensitised with rabbit anti-Chang cell antibody for K cell activity, and killing was assessed by release of radiochromium at effector: target ratios of 50:1 and 100:1. The positive findings were that NK cell activity, but not K cell activity, was greater in males and in youth, that NK cell activity was reduced in systemic lupus erythematosus, that neither NK nor K cell activity was altered in rheumatoid arthritis, and that K cell activity was reduced in chronic active hepatitis.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors