title: Propagation of large numbers of T cells with natural killer cell markers.
abstract: Previously, a subset of T cells co-expressing the NK cell antigen CD56 has been described. These CD3+CD56+ cells are rare in peripheral blood collections and have been poorly characterized. We have developed culture conditions which allow for the rapid expansion of CD3+CD56+ cells. The protocol for cellular expansion includes the addition of interferon-gamma on day 0, interleukin-1, interleukin-2 and a monoclonal antibody against CD3 on day 1 to peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cells of the CD3+CD56+ phenotype increased up to 6000-fold using this protocol after 16 d in culture. These cells have been characterized by flow cytometry and have been found to express the alpha, beta T cell receptor, co-express the CD5 and CD8 antigens and do not express the CD16 antigen. Morphologically, these cells cannot be distinguished from NK cells. CD3+CD56+ killer cells lyse a variety of tumour cells with intermediate activity between CD3-CD56+ NK cells and CD3+CD56- T cells.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Innere Medizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Wolf
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lefterova
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huhn
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Blume
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Negrin
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000502:physiology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000502:physiology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000502:physiology; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D006801:Humans; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000502:physiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000502:physiology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000502:physiology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D019002:CD56 Antigen