RNA干扰CD151基因表达抑制肝癌细胞侵袭

目的研究RNA干扰(RNA interference RNAi)抑制CD151表达对人类肝癌细胞迁移侵袭的影响及分子机制。方法将CD151-siRNA在脂质体介导下瞬时转入人肝癌HepG2细胞,倒置荧光显微镜观察转染效率,用qPCR,western blot检测HepG2细胞CD151mRNA和蛋白表达,体外研究肿瘤细胞迁移和侵袭能力,并检测相关信号通路的变化。结果成功转染CD151-siRNA后,HepG2细胞CD151基因的表达与正常对照组和阴性对照组相比,mRNA和蛋白表达水平明显降低(P0.05),细胞迁移和侵袭能力明显下降(P0.05),同时,沉默CD151的表达,FAK,ERK的磷酸化受抑制。结论CD151-siRNA能有效抑制人肝癌细胞CD151基因mRNA和蛋白的表达,通过抑制FAK,ERK蛋白的磷酸化水平,降低细胞的迁移和侵袭力。     

靶向survivin 的siRNA 联合5-FU 转染抑制肝细胞株HepG2 增殖的研究

目的:研究靶向survivin的(小分子干扰RNA)siRNA和(氟尿嘧啶)5-FU联用对肝癌细胞HepG2的增殖抑制及凋亡的影响。方法:将HepG2细胞分为空白对照组、阴性对照组、5-FU处理组、siRNA转染组、5-FU+siRNA转染组。转染采用脂质体法。RT-PCR法检测HepG2细胞survivin mRNA转录水平;MTT法检测靶向survivin的siRNA和5-FU对HepG2细胞增殖的抑制作用;流式细胞术检测HepG2细胞凋亡情况。结果:空白对照组、阴性对照组、5-FU处理组survivin mRNA表达无明显变化(P>0.05),siRNA转染组、5-FU+siRNA转染组survivin mRNA表达明显下降(F=280.326,q=4.72~7.34,P<0.05)。5-FU+siRNA转染组增殖抑制率为51.58%±1.35%,与其它各组相比抑制率明显增高(F=280.326,q=5.27~9.84,P<0.05)。5-FU+siRNA组与其它各组相比细胞凋亡率明显增高(F=13568.68,q=110.47～327.16,P<0.01)。结论:将靶向survivin的siRNA和5-FU联合应用可以显著抑制肝癌细胞survivin基因表达,并协同抑制HepG2细胞增殖,共同发挥诱导细胞凋亡作用。     

整合素α3、α6在CD151促进HepG2细胞增殖、侵袭中的作用

目的观察CD151转染HepG2细胞后对细胞增殖,侵袭的影响及其与整合素的关系。方法用脂质体转染试剂,将质粒CD151及其突变体CD151-AAA转染HepG2细胞,观察转染后细胞增殖,侵袭的变化;免疫共沉淀法检测整合素的表达情况。结果 CD151-AAA突变体较CD151促细胞增殖力低,其侵袭力未见增强,且其免疫共沉淀未能检测到整合素的表达。结论 CD151促进HepG2细胞增殖,侵袭有赖于CD151-整合素α3/α6复合体的形成。     

pcDNA3.1-Canstatin-3Flag真核表达载体的构建及转染HepG2细胞中的表达

目的:构建pcDNA3.1-Canstatin-3Flag载体并稳定转染肝癌HepG2细胞,检测canstatin在mRNA水平的表达。方法:胎盘中提取总RNA,RT-PCR法获得canstatinDNA,克隆至pcDNA3.1(-)载体中,并测序,重组质粒pcDNA3.1-Canstatin-3Flag转染肝癌HepG2细胞,G418筛选出稳定转染细胞,RT-PCR检测canstatin mRNA表达。结果:1.成功构建出pcDNA3.1-Canstatin-3Flag重组质粒;2.获得稳定转染pcDNA3.1-Canstatin-3Flag的肝癌HepG2细胞;3.发现转染后的肝癌HepG2细胞canstatin在mRNA水平比未转染细胞有明显的增强。结论:获得了稳定转染pcDNA3.1-Canstatin-3Flag的肝癌HepG2细胞,为后期canstatin在肝癌中的研究提供了支持。     

肺内调节肽对人支气管上皮细胞HLA-DR、CD80、CD86表达的影响

为了探讨肺内调节肽对人支气管上皮细胞（human bronchial epithelial cells,HBECs）人类白细胞抗原DR（human leukocyte antigen DR,HLA—DR）、CD80和CD86表达的影响,采用免疫细胞化学技术和流式细胞术检测HBECs在非应激和臭氧应激两种状态下HLA-DR、CD80、CD86的表达。结果显示,HBECs表达HLA—DR,臭氧应激状态下HBECs HLA-DR表达降低（P〈0．05）;VIP、P3513和CGRP使非应激和臭氧应激两种状态下的HBECs HLA—DR表达增高（均P〈0．05）。HBECs表达协同刺激分子CD80,臭氧应激状态下CD80表达降低（P〈0．05）,VIP对非应激的HBECs的CD80表达无影响,使臭氧应激状态下CD80表达增高（P〈0．05）;CGRP使非应激状态下的HBECs的CD80表达降低（P〈0．05）,使臭氧应激状态下CD80表达增高（P〈0．05）;P3513使非应激状态下CD80表达增高（P〈0．05）,可使臭氧应激状态下CD80表达降低（P〈0．05）。在HBECs没有检测到CD86表达,臭氧攻击也不能刺激其表达。上述结果提示,HBECs具备成为抗原递呈细胞的必要条件,肺内调节肽可通过调节HLA—DR和协同刺激分子的表达调节HBECs的抗原递呈作用。     

血红素加氧酶-1对肝癌细胞细胞周期调控因子的影响

目的观察血红素加氧酶-1（heme oxygenase 1,HO-1）对人肝癌细胞HepG2细胞周期调控因子的影响。方法构建含有野生型和突变型HO-1基因的重组载体pcDNA3．1（＋）-wtHO-1和pcDNA3．1（＋）-mHO-1G143H。利用脂质体介导的方法将构建好的重组载体转染肝癌细胞系HepG2,以空载体转染作为对照组。通过G418筛选建立稳定表达野生型和突变型HO-1的HepG2肝癌细胞系。经半定量RT—PCR、Western印迹检测转染细胞系中HO-1 mRNA和蛋白的表达水平。在HO-1表达改变的稳转细胞系中,利用Western印迹检测转染细胞系中P21、P27蛋白表达水平。结果成功实现了野生型和突变型HO-1在HepG2细胞中的过表达;野生型和突变型HO-1过表达均能诱导抑癌基因p21和p27的表达。结论HO．1过表达诱导抑癌基因p21和p27的表达与血红素分解产物无关。HO-1可能通过其它机制调节p21和p27的表达。     

反义CD151基因转染对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞迁移的影响

目的观察pcDNA3.1真核表达载体介导的反义CD151基因转染对培养的大鼠动脉平滑肌细胞(VSMCs)迁移的影响。方法构建携带全长正义和反义CD151的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-CD151和pcDNA3.1-anti-CD151重组质粒,转染体外培养的VSMCs,以RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测CD151的表达,用Boyden趋化小室方法观察细胞迁移。结果与载体对照组、脂质体对照组和空白对照组3组均值比较,转染48h后,反义CD151组mRNA表达降低58%,蛋白表达降低51%,正义CD151组的VSMCs CD151mRNA表达增加171%,蛋白表达增加133%;趋化迁移的细胞数,反义CD151组为37.9±6.3,正义CD151组为86.5±12.4;载体对照组、脂质体对照组和空白对照组分别为60.3±7.1、61.8±7.6和67.3±9.6。反义CD151组显著低于其余各组(P<0.01),正义CD151组显著高于其余各组(P<0.01)。结论pcDNA3.1真核表达载体介导的反义CD151转染,通过抑制CD151的表达,能够显著抑制大鼠VSMCs的迁移。     

针对Mcl-1的shRNA重组质粒体外增强肝癌细胞对化疗敏感性的实验研究

目的构建针对髓细胞白血病基因-1(Mcl-1)的shRNA的重组质粒,探讨该重组质粒对肝癌细胞化疗敏感性的影响。方法设计3对针对Mcl-1基因不同位点的shRNA片段的真核表达载体psiRNA-hH1neo-Mcl,用阳离子脂质体法将重组质粒转染至人肝癌细胞株HepG2中,采用RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测转染后Mcl-1mRNA及蛋白表达情况,筛选Mcl-1基因表达沉默效应最好的重组质粒。用MTT和流式细胞仪分别检测单独使用丝裂霉素(Mitomycin,MMC)、单独使用重组质粒以及联合使用重组质粒与MMC对HepG2细胞的增殖和凋亡的影响。结果成功构建含不同shRNA片段的重组质粒,依次命名为pMclsi-1、pMclsi-2、pMclsi-3。经测序证实,插入的DNA片段的序列与设计序列完全一致。重组质粒转染HepG2细胞后,Mcl-1基因的mRNA水平及蛋白水平明显下调,其中以pMclsi-1下调效应最强。MTT检测显示,pMclsi-1联合化疗药物MMC对HepG2细胞增殖的抑制活性显著高于单用MMC组或单用pMclsi-1组,流式细胞仪检测显示,pMclsi-1联合化疗药物MMC促进HepG2细胞凋亡的活性显著高于单用MMC组或pMclsi-1组。结论针对Mcl-1基因的siRNA可特异阻断Mcl-1基因的表达,从而明显增强肝癌细胞对化疗药物MMC的敏感性。     

新型人肝再生增强因子的分子克隆及其性能研究

肝再生增强因子(ALR)是新近发现,存在于新生大鼠肝组织中的一种新的肝增殖刺激因子,其人源性对应序列未见报道.研究在克隆大鼠ALRcDNA的基础上,首次报道了依据cDNA序列推导的人ALR的氨基酸序列;将人ALR编码区cD-NA亚克隆于真核表达质粒pcDNAⅠ,转染cos-7细胞后,发现其表达产物具有促进HTC肝癌细胞增殖的作用;Northern杂交提示人 ALR mRNA比大鼠ALR mRNA大,约l.4kb,表明人ALR cDNA具有更长的非翻译区序列;除肝脏外,ALR mRNA在胸腺及肾等人胚胎组织中也有较高丰度表达;正常大鼠肝组织仅低丰度表达ALRmRNA,但 2/3肝部分切除后12h肝组织ALR mRNA表达明显增高,提示 ALR可能是一种重要的肝再生刺激因子.     

Daxx过表达对氧化应激诱导的肝肿瘤细胞凋亡的影响

死亡结构域相关蛋白Daxx可以敏化多种肿瘤细胞的凋亡过程,但对于肝肿瘤细胞株HepG2的影响未见报道．为了研究Daxx增加肝HepG2细胞对药物敏感性的影响及机制,为开发药物新的药理作用提供理论依据,分别转染pEGFP-C1和pEGFP-C1-Daxx这两个载体到HepG2细胞．实验分组如下：（1）正常对照组（未转染细胞组）;（2）pEGFP-C1空载体转染组（HepG2/GFP细胞）;（3）pEGFP-C1-Daxx表达载体转染组（nepG2/GFP-Daxx细胞）．筛选稳定细胞株,用逆转录聚合酶链反应检测mRNA的表达;用过氧化氢孵育24h诱导细胞凋亡,采用MTT法和流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,Western blot检测蛋白质的表达．经G418筛选稳定的细胞运用RT-PCR技术分析其mRNA,结果显示,转染绿色荧光蛋白Daxx表达载体的细胞Daxx的mRNA明显上调：用荧光显微镜观察到Daxx蛋白主要定位于细胞核．用过氧化氢诱导HepG2细胞凋亡,观察到过氧化氢呈浓度依赖性地抑制HepG2细胞活性．正常对照细胞、HepG2／GFP、HepG2／GFP-Daxx 3组细胞的IC50值分别是0．72、0．76、0．49mmol／L．并且运用流式细胞仪检测到HepG2／GFP-Daxx组细胞凋亡率明显高于转染空载体质粒组与未转染组（（42．9&#177;8．42）vs（27．3&#177;6．38）or（28．5&#177;4．71））．提示HepG2/GFP-Daxx细胞对过氧化氢的反应性较未转染细胞和HepG2/GFP敏感．还运用Western-blot检测到活化的caspase3在Daxx转染组细胞表达最强,达到（204．66&#177;19．68）％,而未转染和HepG2/GFP组细胞分别是（100&#177;3．1）％、（107．39&#177;20．1）％,进一步说明了Daxx可以增加HepG2细胞对于过氧化氢的敏感性．同时,观察到过氧化氢处理24h后,Daxx转染组细胞磷酸化的JNK表达明显高于空载体转染组和未转染细胞组．上述结果表明：a．Daxx可以增加肝HepG2细胞对过氧化氢诱导的细胞凋亡敏感性;b．Daxx蛋白敏化过氧化氢诱导的HepG2细胞凋亡可能与协同增加JNK活性有关．     

Cleavage of the cell-surface O-sialoglycoproteins CD34, CD43, CD44, and CD45 by a novel glycoprotease from Pasteurella haemolytica.

The study of structural/functional characteristics of the cell-surface glycoproteins of leukocytes has led to a better understanding of the differentiation and maturation of hematopoietic cells. We have assessed the ability of a unique metalloprotease that is secreted by the bovine fibrinous pneumonia pathogen Pasteurella haemolytica, to cleave cell-surface glycoproteins expressed on human leukocytes. Biochemical analysis shows that the O-glycosylated cell surface Ag CD34, CD43 (leukosialin), CD44 (hyaluronic acid receptor), and CD45 (leukocyte common Ag), are all cleaved by this protease. Although these enzyme-sensitive structures contain N-linked glycans, they are all extensively glycosylated with O-linked carbohydrates, which are especially abundant on CD34 and CD43. In contrast, the glycoproteins CD18/11a,b,c (leukocyte integrins), CD71 (transferrin receptor), HLA class I, and 8A3 Ag, which contain N-linked glycans but no O-sialo-glycans, were resistant to the action of the enzyme. Inasmuch as previous studies using glycophorin A had indicated that the substrate specificity of this enzyme may be uniquely restricted to the cleavage of O-sialoglycoproteins, we have designated this activity, P. haemolytica glycoprotease. Immunofluorescence analysis with a variety of antibodies to different epitopes of the P. haemolytica glycoprotease-sensitive structures indicate that this enzyme may have widespread applications in epitope-mapping studies, and represents a novel tool with which to study structure/function relationships for O-sialoglycosylated cell-surface proteins. However, most significantly these results suggest that the P. haemolytica glycoprotease may be of use in the affinity purification and recovery of clinically important leukocyte subsets, such as primitive hematopoietic progenitors that express CD34.     

Inflammatory markers CD11b, CD16, CD66b, CD68, myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase in eccentric exercised human skeletal muscles

The aim of the present study was to investigate leucocyte markers, CD11b, CD16, CD66b, CD68, myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase on skeletal muscle biopsies from biceps brachii after unaccustomed eccentric exercise followed by the second bout of exercise 3 weeks later. The subjects (10 subjects received COX-2 inhibitor (Celecoxib) and 13 subjects received placebo) were divided into three categories: mild, moderate and severe effect of eccentric exercise, according to the reduction and recovery of muscle force-generating capacity after performing 70 maximal eccentric actions with elbow flexors on an isokinetic dynamometer. The results showed that the CD66b antibody was applicable for localization of neutrophils in human skeletal muscle, whereas the other studied neutrophil markers recognized also other leucocytes than neutrophils. The number of CD66b positive cells in skeletal muscle was very low and was not affected by the exercise. The macrophage marker CD68 showed reactivity also against satellite cells and fibroblast-like cells in skeletal muscle and therefore cannot be applied as a quantitative value for inflammatory cells. Skeletal muscle fibre injury, shown as dystrophin negative fibres, was observed approximately in half of the biopsies at 4 and 7 days after the first exercise bout in the categories moderate and severe effect of eccentric exercise. These subjects represent the most prominent loss in muscle force-generating capacity both at the category and the individual levels. Furthermore, deformed skeletal muscle fibres were observed in five subjects in these categories after the second bout of exercise. The present results suggest that neutrophils are not involved in skeletal muscle fibre injury and the reduction in muscle force-generating capacity after a single bout of eccentric exercise is a good indirect indicator of muscle damage in humans. Furthermore, prolonged regeneration process could be one of the reasons for impaired peripheral muscle function after high-force eccentric exercise.     

Bromelain treatment of human T cells removes CD44, CD45RA, E2/MIC2, CD6, CD7, CD8, and Leu 8/LAM1 surface molecules and markedly enhances CD2-mediated T cell activation.

Treatment of T cells with the cysteine protease bromelain has been widely used to enhance the binding of human T cells to human E (autologous E rosettes) and has been shown to remove surface T cell CD44 molecules. Ligand binding to CD44 has been shown to markedly augment T cell activation. To study the activation potential of bromelain-treated CD44 T cells, we have compared the proliferation of sham- and bromelain-treated normal human PBMC to mitogenic CD2 mAb. We found that bromelain not only removed T cell CD44, but also removed the CD45RA isoform of CD45 as well as E2/MIC2, CD6, CD7, CD8, and Leu 8/LAM1 molecules. T cell proliferation in response to CD2 mAb was increased 325% in bromelain-treated PBMC compared to sham-treated PBMC (p < 0.005). Reciprocal treatment experiments using purified T cells and monocytes demonstrated that the enhancement of T cell CD2 activation by bromelain occurred only when T cells were treated with bromelain and was accompanied by increased adhesion of T cells to monocytes. These data demonstrate that expression of portions of the extracellular domains of the CD44, CD45RA, E2/MIC2, CD6, CD7, CD8, and Leu 8/LAM1 surface molecules are not required for CD2 activation of human T cells. Rather, the removal of these surface molecules by bromelain is associated with enhanced T cell-monocyte aggregation and enhanced CD2-mediated T cell activation. Taken together with data that CD44, E2/MIC2, CD6, and CD7 mAb inhibit CD2/lymphocyte function-associated Ag-3-mediated cellular interactions and also augment CD2-mediated triggering of T cells, these data suggest that members of the bromelain-sensitive group of surface molecules may comprise a set of CD2-associated adhesion ligands that acts in concert to modulate human T cell activation.     

Application of four variants of the diagnostic disc test (CD01, CD02, CD03, CD04) for detection of ESBL-positive strains of gram-negative rods

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of four variants of the diagnostic disc test (DD) to detect extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in nosocomial strains of gram-negative rods. Also, the diagnostic disc test (DD) was compared with the double-disc synergy test (DDST) for the effectivity of ESBLs identification. A total number of 111 ESBL-positive (DDST-positive) strains of gram-negative rods isolated from hospitalized patients in 2004 was examined. Ninety nine strains belonged to enteric rods (89.2%) and twelve strains--to nonfermentative rods (10.8%). Two reference strains: E. coli ATCC 25922 (ESBL-negative one) and K. pneumoniae ATCC 700603 (ESBL-positive one) were included in the study. Four variants of the diagnostic disc test (DD, Oxoid Ltd, UK) were applied for ESBLs detection: CPD/CD01, CAZ/CD02, CTX/CD03 and CPO/CD04. All examined strains (111) were DDST-positive. Positive results in the DD test (Oxoid Ltd) were as follows: CPD/CD01--59 strains (53.2%), CAZ/CD02--80 strains (72.1%), CTX/CD03--92 strains (82.9%) and CPO/CD04--110 strains (99.1%). Discs containing cefpirome (CPO) and cefpirome with clavulanic acid (CD04) were the best set for detection of ESBLs in our collection of clinical gram-negative rods. Results of this variant of the DD test were the most consistent with the results of the DDST. Application of several disc diffusion methods to detect ESBL producers increases the probability of proper identification of these strains.     

Long-lived poxvirus immunity, robust CD4 help, and better persistence of CD4 than CD8 T cells

The currently used smallpox vaccine is associated with a high incidence of adverse events, and there is a serious need for a safe and effective alternative vaccine. Here, we carried out a longitudinal evaluation of vaccinia virus-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells in smallpox-vaccinated individuals by using a highly sensitive intracellular cytokine staining assay. Our results demonstrate that, in addition to the CD8 response, the smallpox vaccinations raised a robust CD4 response with a Th1-dominant cytokine profile. These CD4 T cells were stable and exhibited only a twofold contraction between peak effector and memory phases compared with an approximate sevenfold contraction for CD8 cells. A significant proportion of vaccinated individuals lost detectable CD8 memory while maintaining CD4 memory. After a booster immunization, these individuals generated a robust CD8 response, which some of them rapidly lost. Thus, the current smallpox vaccine provides long-lasting CD4 help that may be critical for long-lived B-cell memory. We suggest that the provision of adequate CD4 help for CD8 and humoral effector functions will be critical to the success of the next generation of smallpox vaccines.     

Cloning,expression, and characterization of fugu CD4, the first ectothermic animal CD4

We have cloned and sequenced the first ectothermic animal CD4 gene from fugu, Takifugu rubripes, using a public database of the third draft sequence of the fugu genome. The fugu CD4 gene encodes a predicted protein of 463 amino acids containing four extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic tail. Fugu CD4 shares low identity of about 15–20% with avian and mammalian CD4 proteins. Unlike avian and mammalian CD4, fugu CD4 lacks the Cys pair of the first Ig-like domain, but has a unique possible disulfide bond in the third domain. These differences suggest that fugu CD4 may have a different structure that could affect binding of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules and subsequent T-cell activation. In the putative fugu cytoplasmic region, the protein tyrosine kinase p56^lck binding motif is conserved. The predicted fugu CD4 gene is composed of 12 exons, differing from other CD4 genes, but showing conserved synteny and many conserved sequence motifs in the promoter region. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the fugu CD4 gene is expressed predominantly in lymphoid tissues. We also show that fugu CD4 can be expressed on the surface of cells via transfection. Molecular characterization of CD4 in fish provides insights into the evolution of both the CD4 molecule and the immune system.     

Comparative analysis of CD1a, S-100, CD83, and CD11c human dendritic cells in normal, premalignant, and malignant tissues

A number of antibodies that recognize human dendritic cells (DC) have been identified. The main aim of this study was to compare and contrast different antigen retrieval techniques using both enzymatic and non-enzymatic treatments in order to determine the expression and distribution of several DC markers on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Normal human lung, oral epithelial hyperplasia lesions, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and prostate adenocarcinoma tissues were evaluated using a panel of DC specific antibodies. The results of immunohistochemical staining for CD83, CD1a, CD11c, and S-100 DC markers were compared following the different antigen retrieval approaches. The overall best results for the analysis of tumor-associated DC were obtained with the enzymatic methods. Protease XXIV digestion was determined to be essential for detection of S-100 and CD11c positive DC, whereas trypsin and pepsin were required for the recognition of CD1a and CD83 expressing tumor-associated DC. These results could be easily adapted for routine practice and should be useful for characterization of the DC system in cancer patients for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes. In addition, standardized procedures for evaluating different subpopulations of tumor-associated DC should bring new insights in understanding of DC-tumor cell interaction.     

Expression of CD16, CD18 and CD56 in tributyltin-exposed human natural killer cells

Tributyltin (TBT) was produced in large quantities for use in wood preservation, marine antifouling paints, disinfection of circulating industrial cooling waters and slime control in paper mills. TBT is found in dairy products, meat and fish. We and others have shown that there are measurable levels of TBT in human blood. BTs appear to increase the risk of cancer and viral infections in exposed individuals. In previous studies, we demonstrated that the NK-cytotoxic function of lymphocytes was greatly diminished after a 1-h exposure to 300 nM TBT or a 24-h exposure to 200 nM TBT. Inhibition induced by a 1-h exposure to 300 nM TBT continues even after removal of the compound. There is also decreased ability of NK cells to bind to tumor target cells when they have been exposed to 200 nM TBT for 24 h. This loss of binding function is not seen when NK cells are exposed to 300 nM TBT for 1 h. However, NK cells exposed to 300 nM TBT for 1 h and then incubated in TBT-free media for 24, 48 or 96 h, show a significant loss of tumor-binding function by 96 h. The effects of TBT on cell surface molecules that are crucial to NK cell function is investigated. The data indicate there is a loss of expression of CD16 and CD56 on NK cells exposed to 200 nM TBT for 24 h. There is no decrease in expression of any of the markers studied when NK cells are exposed to 300 nM TBT for 1 h, consistent with the fact that a 1-h exposure has no effect on the ability of NK cells to bind to tumor targets. However, when NK cells are exposed to 300 nM TBT followed by 24, 48 or 96 h incubations in TBT-free media, there is a significant loss of CD16 and CD18 expression after 24 h and of CD16 and CD56 expression after 48 and 96 h.