NC CELLS DO NOT EXPRESS NK-ASSOCIATED CELL SURFACE ANTIGENS AND ARE NOT CULTURE ACTIVATED NK CELLS

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the difference between natural cytotoxic (NC) cell activity and natural killer (NK) cell activity. The studies described in this chapter address two questions: (1) do NK and NC cells express similar cell surface antigens and (2) if not, can differential antigen expression allow the separation of NK and NC functions and, thus, facilitate studies into the relationship of the two populations. NK cells have been shown to share a number of cell surface antigens with other lymphoid populations. NK cells express the T-cell associated Qa-2,3, Qa-5, and Ly-11 antigens. NK cells bear the neutral glycolipid asialo GM-1, NK 1.1, and NK 1.2 antigens and have been shown to express high levels of H-2. Studies described in the chapter demonstrate that NK and NC cells markedly differ in antigen expression. NC cell activity is not affected by treatment with antisera directed to the Qa-2,3, Qa-5, Ly-11, NK 1.2, or asialo GM-1 antigens, all of which deplete NK cell activity. The results also suggest that the NC cell is low in H-2 expression.