Relationship between natural killer (NK) cells and interferon (IFN) alpha-producing cells in human peripheral blood. Studies with a monoclonal antibody with specificity for human natural killer cells

Abstract

The relationship between NK active and IFN alpha-producing cells in human peripheral blood was studied with a monoclonal antibody with specificity for NK cells (anti-Leu11b). Removal of Leu11b antigen expressing leukocytes with antibody-mediated complement-dependent lysis resulted in a marked reduction of NK activity. In contrast, the depletion of Leu11b positive cells did not affect the production of IFN alpha in response to influenza A/X31 virus, Corynebacterium parvum, or Molt 4 human leukemic cells. The results indicate that NK activity and synthesis of IFN alpha are mediated by different leukocyte subpopulations. The findings further suggest that the augmentation of the cytotoxic activity of NK cells by IFN may not be the consequence of positive self-regulation, but rather of cellular cooperation.