MHC class I expression protects target cells from lysis by Ly49-deficient fetal NK cells.
Using appropriate conditions natural killer (NK) cells can be cultured from the liver and thymus of day 14 fetal mice. These fetal NK cells are phenotypically and functionally indistinguishable from adult NK cells with the exception that they lack measurable expression of all of the Ly49 molecules that can currently be detected with antibodies. Despite this, they preferentially kill tumor cells and blast cells deficient in the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, although the degree of discrimination is usually weaker than that shown by adult NK cells and varies depending on the particular combination of effector and target cells used. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that although fetal NK cells are severely deficient in the expression of mRNA for Ly49A, B, C, D, G, H, and I they express high levels of Ly49E mRNA, raising the possibility that Ly49E may have an important and special function in the early development of the NK lineage.
Toomey
J A
JA
Department of Immunology, The Medical School, Newcastle, GB.
Shrestha
S
S
de la Rue
S A
SA
Gays
F
F
Robinson
J H
JH
Chrzanowska-Lightowlers
Z M
ZM
Brooks
C G
CG
D000818:Animals; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005333:Fetus / Q000276:immunology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000172:deficiency*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D055650:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily A; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D055630:Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000196:embryology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000235:genetics
D000950:Antigens, Ly; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C527088:Klra1 protein, mouse; C527093:Klra5 protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D055650:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily A; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D055630:Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin