Interferon-gamma-treated K562 target cells distinguish functional NK cells from lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells

In vitro incubation of the erythroleukemic cell line K562 with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) renders these cells relatively resistant to natural killer (NK) cell lysis. However, such treatment does not alter their sensitivity to LAK cell lysis. Thus, the lytic susceptibility of interferon-gamma-treated K562 (I-K562) cells to LAK cells as opposed to its relative resistance to NK cell lysis provides a functional assay to help distinguish these two types of effector cells. The relative resistance of I-K562 for NK cell-mediated lysis was not secondary to the release of soluble factors or the frequency of Leu-19+, CD3+ T cells, residual IFN-gamma, or expression of MHC Class I molecules. Coincubation of I-K562 cells with NK or LAK cells overnight did not appreciably change the pattern of lytic responses against K562 and I-K562 target cells. However, incubation of PBMC in vitro with I-K562 but not native K562 in the presence of r-IL-2 leads to a marked decrease in the generation of LAK cells. The inhibition of LAK cell generation was not secondary to differences in the consumption of bioactive levels of IL-2. Differences in the lytic capability of NK and LAK effector cells suggest heterogeneity among cells that mediate such non-MHC-restricted lysis. Use was made of cells from a patient with a large granular lymphocyte lymphoproliferative disease (greater than 85% Leu-19+) to determine if such cells could be used to distinguish clonal population of cells which would represent NK or LAK cell function. Of interest was the finding that such cells, even after incubation in vitro with IL-2, showed lytic function representative of NK cells but not LAK cells. Data concerning the inhibition of LAK cell generation by I-K562 cells have important implications for future therapeutic trials of IFN-gamma and IL-2 in the treatment of human malignancies.     

Mechanisms involved in NK resistance induced by interferon-gamma.

Human tumor cell lines were treated with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and then used as target cells in NK assays to measure their ability to form conjugates and stimulate the production of NK cytotoxic factors (NKCF) and to determine their susceptibility to NKCF lysis. K562 and cell lines RS1, RS3, RS7, CAC, and CAP2, obtained from solid brain tumors, were used as targets, and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from normal donors were used as effector cells. IFN-gamma-treated cell lines had a decreased susceptibility to NKCF lysis and a decreased ability to induce the release of these factors without affecting target-effector cell binding. These results were not due to changes in HLA class I antigen expression, given that the level of HLA class I antigens on the tumor cell lines was not affected, the only exception being K562. In an attempt to further clarify the possible influence of HLA class I expression on K562, IFN-gamma-pretreated K562 cells were separated into HLA class I positive and HLA class I negative subsets for the NK assays. The results showed that both populations behaved similarly upon target-effector conjugate formation, whereas the HLA class I positive population showed a reduced susceptibility to lysis by NK cells and NKCF. Thus, these results establish that NK resistance induced by IFN-gamma is mediated by blocking the target cell's ability to activate NK cell triggering and release of NKCF and by blocking its susceptibility to lysis by these factors. This analysis helps to clarify not only the NK process but also the controversial regulatory effect of IFN in NK lysis.     

Analysis of the mechanisms involved in NK resistance induced by a new tumor factor NK-RIF

The mechanisms involved in susceptibility or resistance of neoplasic cells to lysis by NK cells are not well known. We have recently described a 12-kDa factor (NK-RIF), produced and released by different tumor cell lines, making K562 resistant to NK lysis without affecting the cytotoxic function of NK effector cells. In this paper we further study the mechanism involved in NK resistance of K562 mediated by NK-RIF and its biological implications. The results show that NK-RIF does not affect the binding capacity of target and effector cells nor the levels of HLA class I antigen expression on the target cells, as a proof that resistance to NK-mediated lysis is not always associated with a defect in target effector binding or with an increased MHC class I antigen expression. However NK-RIF-treated K562 loses its capacity to induce NK cell activation and the subsequent capacity to release NKCF and makes K562 resistant to lysis by NKCF. Therefore our results show that induction of resistance to NK cytotoxicity can be the result of the modulation of target structures responsible for inducing effector cell activation without affecting target/effector binding molecules. This indicates that the structures involved in adherence and activation of NK cells have a different nature and that molecules other than HLA participate in NK resistance.     

A novel type of human T cell clone with highly potent natural killer-like cytotoxicity divorced from large granular lymphocyte morphology

Interleukin 2-dependent cloned lymphocytes derived from an allogeneic HLA class II-mismatched but class I-matched mixed lymphocyte culture were screened for cytotoxic activity on target cell lines known to be susceptible or resistant to lysis by natural killer (NK) cells. Of 24 clones, eight were found to display NK-like cytotoxicity. Two manifested extremely high cytotoxicity levels (50% lysis of K562 at an effector to target ratio of 1:1), whereas the remainder were only moderately active (about 20% lysis at 25:1). NK-like clones were studied with regard to cell surface markers defined by monoclonal antibodies, as well as for their morphologic and cytochemical characteristics, and were compared with clones displaying different functions. The moderately active NK-like clones exhibited characteristic large granular lymphocyte morphology (many azurophilic granules, indented nuclei, high cytoplasm to nucleus ratio, and a basophilic peripheral cytoplasmic zone). This was, however, also characteristic of the majority of lymphocyte clones displaying functions other than NK. Surprisingly, the two clones with high NK-like activity did not exhibit large granular lymphocyte morphology, with few granules, round nuclei, and low cytoplasm to nucleus ratio. The T3, T9, T10, and T11 markers, as well as HLA-DR determinants, were expressed on their surfaces, but in contrast to the other clones, they did not display OKT4-, OKT8-, or OKM1-defined antigens. No distinction between them was possible on the basis of a cytochemical profile in relation to their function, because all clones were positive for acid phosphatase, either focal or dispersed and negative for nonspecific esterase or chloracetate esterase. The highly active lytic clones were, however, distinguished by an exceptionally rapid growth rate in culture (cell doubling time: 9 hr as compared to 30 to 40 hr, as usually required). These results demonstrate two different types of human NK-active lymphocytes with remarkably disparate lytic capacity, cell surface markers, and morphology.     

Mechanism of cell-mediated cytotoxicity at the single cell level. VI. Direct assessment of the cytotoxic potential of human peripheral blood non-lytic effector-target cell conjugates

Single cell cytotoxicity assays reveal that a large percentage of lymphocytes are unable to kill attached targets in a 4- to 18-hr assay. Additional signals (in the form of lectin or anti-target antibody) delivered to target-bound lymphocytes enable these previously non-lytic lymphocytes to kill attached target cells. This finding was obtained by using a modification of the single cell assay, in which lectin or target cell antibody is incorporated into agarose with preformed lymphocyte-target conjugates. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) or Percoll density gradient-enriched large granular lymphocytes (LGL) were used as effector cells in natural killer (NK), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (LDCC) assay systems. The targets used were NK-sensitive K562 and Molt-4 and NK-insensitive Raji. Several findings were made in the modified single cell assay, namely a) the frequency of cytotoxic NK or ADCC effector cells was not augmented, suggesting that the initial trigger was sufficient for lytic expression in these instances. Furthermore, these results showed that the NK-sensitive targets used do not bind nonspecifically to the LDCC effector cells. K562 coated with Con A, however, serve as LDCC targets. b) The frequency of two target conjugate lysis by NK/K effectors was not augmented by Con A. These results suggest that Con A does not potentiate the killing of multiple targets bound to a single cytotoxic lymphocyte. c) Although conjugates formed between LGL or PBL and NK-insensitive Raji are non-lethal, significant lysis was observed when these conjugates were suspended in Con A or antibody agarose. These results demonstrate that Raji bind to cytotoxic NK, K, and LDCC effector cells, but are lysed only when the appropriate trigger is provided. d) The cytotoxic potential of non-lytic conjugates appears to lie within the low density Percoll fraction, although the high density lymphocytes are able to nonlethally bind to targets. Altogether the results demonstrate that target recognition and/or binding by the effector cells is a distinct event from the trigger or lytic process. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

Lysis of human cytomegalovirus infected fibroblasts by natural killer cells: demonstration of an interferon-independent component requiring expression of early viral proteins and characterization of effector cells

We investigated the susceptibility of cells infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to lysis by human natural killer (NK) cells, examining in particular its relationship to sequential viral protein expression, interferon (IFN), and the nature of the effector cells. HCMV-infected fibroblasts were lysed by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal seronegative individuals. The effector cells were large granular lymphocytes of Leu-7+, Leu-11+, and to a lesser extent Leu-7- phenotype. Depletion studies suggested they were the same population of NK cells that lyse uninfected fibroblasts, but a subset of NK cells that lyse K562 cells. HCMV-infected cells treated with phosphonoformate and cells infected for 16 hr that only express the nonstructural HCMV immediate early and early proteins and not the late (structural) proteins were susceptible to lysis by IFN-pretreated effector cells, whereas cells expressing immediate early antigens alone were not. This enhanced susceptibility to lysis was associated with increased effector:target binding in target cell binding assays, and was competitively inhibited by uninfected fibroblasts in cold target competition assays. It was independent of IFN release from the infected target cells or effector cells. These results suggest that the increased susceptibility to lysis by NK cells produced by a human herpes virus HCMV i) is manifest when early viral proteins are expressed, ii) is related to enhanced expression of a target structure likely to be present on uninfected fibroblasts, and iii) has a major component that is independent of IFN.     

K562 cells induced to differentiate by phorbol ester tumor promotors resist NK lysis

The effect of various phorbols and phorbol diesters on the NK sensitivity of the human leukemic K562 cells was studied. A marked decrease in K562 cell susceptibility was achieved by culture in the presence of either 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or beta-phorbol-dibutyrate. The maximum protection against NK lysis was achieved when K562 cells were cultured in the presence of 160 nM TPA for 48 hr (mean percentage inhibition: 61% of specific lysis). As for untreated targets, the residual killing of K562 cells after TPA treatment was mediated through large granular lymphocytes (LGL). The experimental procedures required to achieve maximal NK protection with TPA resulted simultaneously in marked phenotypical changes in K562 cells: erythroid and early myeloid markers decreased, whereas the expression of megakaryocytic markers was increased as shown by staining with antiplatelet monoclonal antibodies and assessment of platelet peroxidase activity. Chemical phorbol analogs which were unable to induce K562 cell differentiation did not affect K562 cell sensitivity to NK lysis. De novo protein synthesis is involved in the TPA-induced NK resistance, since this effect was abolished by pretreatment of K562 cells with actinomycin D or cycloheximide. TPA has been previously demonstrated to reduce NK effector activity. In our data however, the observed TPA effects were not due to release of TPA acting on effector cells during the NK assay since TPA-treated K562 cell supernatants were unable to inhibit NK activity in control assays. Thus, TPA appears to decrease NK killing of malignant cells, both by depressing NK effector cells functions and by reducing the susceptibility to NK lysis of the target cells. In single-cell agarose assays, TPA-treated K562 cells demonstrated reduced NK-binding capacity and reduced sensitivity to lysis after binding. These defects could not be reversed by activation of the NK effector cells with interferon. The results here reported extend the previously suggested relations between the expression of NK-target structures and the differentiation stage of malignant cells.     

Role of interferon in natural kill of HSV-1-infected fibroblasts

The production of interferon during natural killer (NK) assays against HSV-1-infected fibroblasts (NK(HSV-1)) was studied to determine whether this interferon was responsible for inducing the preferential lysis of herpes-virus-infected target cells over uninfected target cells. The interferon produced during NK(HSV-1) assays was analyzed and found to have the properties of HU-IFN-alpha. Little or no IFN was produced during NK assays against uninfected fibroblasts (NK(FS)) or K562 (NK(K562)) cells. Although the appearance of interferon in the culture supernatants seemed to parallel the development of cytotoxicity during NK(HSV-1) assays, the levels of cytotoxicity and IFN generated did not correlate, arguing against a strict quantitative dependence of cytotoxicity upon IFN production. NK(K562) and NK(FS) cytotoxicity developed with little or no production of IFN. When IFN-pretreated effector cells were used, there was still a preferential lysis of infected over uninfected target cells. This preferential lysis by IFN-treated effector cells of infected over uninfected targets was seen as early as 2 hr into the assay. Anti-IFN antibodies added to the NK assays, although neutralizing all the IFN produced during the assays, had no effect on NK(FS) or NK(K562) cytotoxic activity and caused a slightly reduction of NK(HSV-1) activity only in one of three experiments. We conclude that although IFN is generated during NK(HSV-1) assays, this IFN cannot solely account for the increased lysis of infected over uninfected cells and that NK(HSV-1) activity is in some other way dependent on the virus infection.     

K562 killing by K, IL 2-responsive NK, and T cells involves different effector cell post-binding trigger mechanisms

The monoclonal antibody 13.3 specifically blocks the trigger process of the NK-K562 cytolytic sequence at a post-binding effector cell level. This antibody was used to define differences in the lytic trigger processes of NK and other mechanisms of K562 lysis. Monoclonal antibody 13.3 inhibited lysis of K562 target cells by freshly isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and purified large granular lymphocytes (LGL), but had no inhibitory effect on antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity to K562 by these effectors. Lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (LDCC) to this target cell was also unresponsive to 13.3. The 13.3-induced inhibition of NK-K562 lytic activity persisted when PBL were activated in culture with interleukin 2 (IL 2) for periods up to 48 hr. After 48 hr of culture, the degree of inhibition diminished progressively in medium containing fetal calf serum but not in medium containing autologous serum. This 13.3-unresponsive lytic activity in cultured PBL could be attributed to more than one cell type and was present in both the LGL and Fc gamma receptor-depleted T cell fraction. Thus, K562 lysis by freshly isolated human lymphocytes via NK, K, and LDCC mechanisms is characterized by heterogeneity of the post-binding effector cell trigger mechanism. K562 lysis by lymphocytes cultured with IL 2 is similarly heterogeneous.     

Studies on cytotoxicity generated in human mixed lymphocyte culture

Summary High levels of cytotoxic activity against the natural killer (NK) cell-sensitive target K562 and the NK-resistant target UCLA-SO-M14 (M14) can be generated in vitro either by mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) or by culture of lymphocytes in interleukin 2 (IL2) (lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells). The purpose of this study was to identify similarities and differences between MLC-LAK and IL2-LAK cells and allospecific cytotoxic T cells. Induction of cytotoxicity against K562 and M14 in both culture systems was inhibited by antibodies specific either for IL2 or the Tac IL2 receptor. Like NK effector cells, the precursors for the MLC-LAK cells were low density large lymphocytes. However these precursors differed from the large granular lymphocytes that mediated NK cytolysis in sensitivity to the toxic lysosomotropic agent L-leucine methyl ester (LME). The resistance of the MLC-LAK precursors to LME indicated that the precursors included large agranular lymphocytes. Although interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is produced in MLC and in IL2 containing cultures, it is not required for induction of either type of cytotoxic activity. Neutralization of IFN-gamma in MLC-and IL2-containing cultures with specific antibodies had no effect on the induction of cytotoxic activities. Both allospecific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and LAK activities were enhanced by IL2 and IFN-gamma at the effector cell stage. However, the mechanism of cytolysis was different in the two systems. NK- and MLC-induced LAK activities were independent of CD3-T cell receptor complex while CTL activity was blocked by monoclonal antibodies specific for the CD3 antigen. These results suggest that NK and the in vitro induced LAK cytotoxicities are a family of related functions that differ from CTL. Furthermore, MLC-induced and IL2-induced cytotoxicities against K562 and M14 appear to be identical.This work was supported by NIH grant CA34442     

Interferon and butyrate treatment leads to a decreased sensitivity of NK target cells to lysis by homologous but not by heterologous effector cells

Human K-562 and HHMS cells were pretreated with human recombinant interferon (IFN)-gamma and used as targets in NK assays against human and murine effector cells. A protective effect against NK lysis was observed only in the homologous assay, whereas no change or even a slight increase in NK sensitivity against heterologous effector cells was found. In cold target inhibition experiments IFN-treatment of K-562 cells led to a decrease in their capacity to act as competitors in the homologous NK assay, leaving their inhibitory capacity unaltered in the heterologous assay. In accordance with results observed using human NK targets, murine YAC-1 cells treated with mouse recombinant IFN-gamma did not lose their susceptibility to human NK cells. However, they were markedly less susceptible to lysis mediated by murine effectors. Butyrate, another compound causing decreased sensitivity of K-562 cells for human natural killing, also failed to reduce the susceptibility against murine NK cells. The results indicate that the NK-resistant tumor target phenotype caused by IFN or differentiation-inducing agents can only be detected by homologous but not by heterologous effector cells. This suggests that major differences exist between the inter- and intraspecies NK killing mechanisms.     

Adriamycin induced resistance of sensitive K 562 cells to natural killer lymphocyte attack

Summary The effect of Adriamycin (ADM) on eryhtroleukaemia K 562 cell susceptibility to human natural killer (NK) cell activity has been studied. When cultivated for 3 days in the presence of 10 to 40 nM ADM, K 562 cells decreased their susceptibility to NK-mediated lysis in a dose-dependent fashion. At a concentration of 40 nM, previously found to induce optimal differentiation-associated properties in K 562 cells, the induced resistance to NK-mediated lysis increased progressively from day 1 to day 3 of culture. ADM treatment did not induce K 562 cells to release factors which interfered with NK activity since supernatants from ADM-treated K 562 cell cultures caused no significant modification in the NK lytic process. Binding to NK of ADM-treated K 562 cells was unaffected since treated and untreated cells had identical capacities in a conjugate-forming cell assay or adsorption of NK cells on target cell monolayers. In cold target competition assays ADM-treated K 562 cells acted as more effective competitors than untreated K 562 cells. These observations imply that the reduced killing of the ADM-treated K 562 cells was independent of target-NK cell recognition, and suggest that ADM treatment could allow malignant cells to escape NK surveillance.     

Interferon is able to reduce tumor cell susceptibility to human lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells

It is known that IL-2 induces lymphocytes to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and this IFN type is particularly efficient in inducing tumor cell resistance to natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis. We have investigated the effect of IFN on tumor cell sensitivity to LAK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Pretreatment of the human K562 leukemia and HHMS melanoma with IFN-gamma and the Daudi lymphoma with IFN-alpha caused a significant reduction in sensitivity to lysis by human LAK cells generated in vitro in the presence of human recombinant IL-2 (100 U/ml). The LAK activity was mediated by cells expressing NK cell markers (CD16,NKH1) as well as by cells with T cell markers (CD3, CD5). IFN-treated K562 cells were protected from lysis mediated by all these populations. Supernatants from LAK cultures containing IFN-gamma were able to induce NK and LAK resistance when used to pretreat K562 overnight. Antibodies to IFN-gamma but not to IFN-alpha were able to neutralize this activity. Taken together, these results indicate that the production of IFN-gamma by LAK cells may be of importance in induction of tumor cell resistance to LAK cell-mediated lysis.     

Phospholipase C treatment of certain human target cells reduces their susceptibility to NK lysis without affecting binding or sensitivity to lytic granules.

Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) is an enzyme that has the capacity to release glycosyl-phosphatidyl inositol (G-PI)-anchored proteins from the cells surface. Pretreatment of the human T-cell leukemia cell line Molt-4 with PI-PLC resulted in a decrease in the susceptibility to lysis by natural killer (NK) cells. Treatment of the erythroleukemia cell line K562 with PI-PLC had no effect on its NK susceptibility. PI-PLC-treated and untreated Molt-4 bound equally well to lymphocytes in target-binding studies with effector cell preparations enriched for NK cells. Susceptibility to cytolytic granules isolated from rat LGL tumor cells remained the same after treatment of Molt-4 or K562 with PI-PLC. Combined treatment of Molt-4 with PI-PLC and rlFN-alpha or rlFN-gamma resulted in additive reductions of the NK susceptibility, suggesting that PI-PLC and interferons act on different mechanisms to protect cells from NK lysis. When expression of a number of antigens on Molt-4 and K562 was analyzed in flow cytometry, only the expression of CD58 was reduced after PI-PLC treatment. The susceptibility of Con A blasts to MLR derived cytotoxic T-cells was not altered by treatment with phospholipase. These data suggest that PI-PLC treatment reduces the capacity of some target cells to activate NK cells upon contract. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is presently unclear.     

Effect of altered membrane fluidity on NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. I. Selective inhibition of the recognition or post recognition events in the cytolytic pathway of NK cells

NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity results from membrane interactions between NK effector and target cells. The role of membrane fluidity in these events is not known. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of changes in membrane lipid fluidity of NK effector and NK-sensitive target cells on the lytic pathway of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Fluidity was modulated by various lipids and measured by fluorescence polarization. NK effector cells treated with phosphatidylcholine complexed with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) showed increased membrane fluidity. This fluidization of the effector cell membrane resulted in a significant inhibition of cytotoxic activity in the 51Cr-release assay. Single cell analysis revealed that the inhibition was due to a decrease in the frequency of NK target conjugates and reduced killing of conjugated targets. Rigidification of the NK effector cell membranes by treatment with cholesteryl hemisuccinate complexed with PVP and BSA also resulted in inhibition of cytotoxicity. This inhibition was post binding, because binding was increased and lysis was abrogated. Fluidization of K562 target cell membranes caused a slight but insignificant increase in their lysis by NK cells without affecting the binding step. On the other hand, rigidification of K562 membranes decreased the sensitivity of these target cells to lysis. Single cell analysis revealed that this inhibition of NK lysis is post binding, because the frequency of killers was significantly decreased. It was also shown that membrane rigidification of target cells that were programmed for lysis during the lethal hit stage and subsequently separated from effector cells, rendered the programmed cells resistant to killing during the killer cell-independent lysis step. These results demonstrate that fluidization or rigidification of the plasma membrane of either effector or target cells affect different stages of the NK cell-mediated cytolytic events.     

Mechanism of cell contact-mediated inhibition of natural killer activity

Natural killer cell activity is inhibited by primary cultures of monolayer cells. In this study, we analyzed the mechanism of the inhibition. Inhibited NK cells showed unaltered binding capacity to NK sensitive K562 cells. The orientation of the effector cells' actin-containing microfilaments, an event known to occur during the programming for the lysis stage in lytic conjugates, was unaffected by the inhibition. In single cell cytotoxicity experiments, the number of killer cells among conjugate-forming cells was reduced. The capacity of the inactivated NK cells to secrete cytotoxic factors upon stimulation with Con A was also impaired. Both NK-resistant inactivating target cells and NK-sensitive K562 cells were sensitive to the toxic factors secreted by NK cells. Thus, the results indicate that the target cell-mediated inactivation of NK cell is based on a block in the lethal hit stage, possibly due to reduced release of toxic factor(s) from the effector cells. The capacity of inactivated effector cells to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity was unimpaired, suggesting that the contact-mediated inhibition of cytotoxicity selectively affects NK cells.     

Effector and target cells in the assessment of natural cytotoxic activity of rhesus monkeys

In humans, decreased natural killer cell (NK) activity has been associated with stressful life events, whereas acute arousal and disturbance frequently has been reported to result in increased NK activity. This bidirectional immune modulation prompted us to investigate the effects of a social stressor on the lymphocyte cytolytic activity of 31 infant rhesus monkeys. The first of three studies evaluated the effects of an 8 hr maternal separation on the infants' cytolytic response against the K562 target-cell line. A finding of increased lytic activity indicated a need for a longer evaluation—after a 24 hr separation—and an additional assessment of two other target-cell lines, Raji and Daudi. The observation of decreased lytic responses to Raji and Daudi, in association with increased lysis of K562, warranted a third study to delineate which rhesus effector cells were responsible for lysis of the K562 and Raji target cells. By isolating cell subsets, it was possible to observe that the majority of unprimed cytotoxic activity resided in the CD3- population of cells, but that the CD3 + CD8 + population also mediated a significant amount of cytotoxicity against both targets. In conclusion, these findings support earlier studies indicating that maternal separation results in significant immune alterations in infant monkeys. However, the complex nature of changes in cytotoxic responses during prolonged stress revealed that different lymphocyte populations engage in parallel and compensatory alterations. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Long-term killing of natural killer-resistant target cells by interferon-alpha-, interferon-gamma-, and interleukin-2-activated natural killer cells

The sensitivity of target cells to natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity was investigated. Five target cell lines were examined for susceptibility to killing by activated NK cells in a 4-hour cytotoxicity assay: one of them (K562) was highly sensitive, while the other four were resistant. However, the four NK-resistant target cell lines were fully susceptible to lysis when the assay was extended to 24 h. The cytotoxic cells that killed the NK-resistant target cells in a 24-hour assay were plastic- and nylon wool-nonadherent human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and their cytotoxicity was increased by interferon-alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-2. Further, the cytotoxic activity of PBMC in the long-term assay was associated with large granular lymphocytes purified on a Percoll gradient, that killed the NK-sensitive cell line K562 in a 4-hour assay. All of the above are general criteria to qualify the cytotoxic cells as NK cells. Thus, the NK-resistant phenotype may not reflect absolute immunity to NK-mediated lysis, but it may reflect the different rates at which various target cell lines can be killed.     

The isolation of natural killer (NK)-resistant variants of the K562 cell line by mutagenesis and selection with antibodies which inhibit NK cell-mediated lysis

Mechanisms involved in the lysis of tumor cells by natural killer (NK) cells were investigated by using mutagenized K562 targets resistant to the effects of NK cells. K562 cells were treated with the mutagen methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and, to select for resistant mutants, rabbit anti-idiotypic (anti-id) antibodies were used. This anti-id was raised to a monoclonal antibody 9.1C3 which itself blocked lysis by NK cells by binding to the effector cells; the anti-id inhibited killing by binding to the K562 targets, presumably to a cell surface protein relevant to a secondary event in the NK lytic pathway. MMS-derived mutants showed a heterogeneity of staining with the anti-id, allowing the antibody to be used with flow cytometry to select a population of K562 cells relatively negative in antigen expression. The degree of reactivity of K562 cultures with the anti-id antiserum and the resistance to lysis by NK cells were inversely related. Cultures of NK-resistant K562 cells with low expression of the anti-id structure were cloned by limiting dilution: 96 clones were analyzed and one subclone, C9/2, which was six-to sevenfold less sensitive to lysis than the parental K562 cell line, was used in further studies by cold target inhibition and single cell binding assays. The increased resistance to lysis of C9/2 was not due to a reduced expression of target recognition structures, and resistance could not be overcome by prolonging the time allowed for lysis to 18 hr nor by adding exogenous recombinant leukocyte interferon. Killing of the NK-resistant variant was inhibited by mannose-6-phosphate but not by the monoclonal antibody against which the anti-id antibody was raised. It is therefore suggested that the structure on the K562 cells recognized by the anti-id antibodies is a novel secondary receptor which is important in the later stages of the NK cell cytolytic cascade.     

Susceptibility to natural killer cell-mediated cytolysis is independent of the level of target cell class I HLA expression

To test the hypothesis that susceptibility to NK cell-mediated cytolysis varies inversely with the levels of target cell class I HLA expression, NK-susceptible K562 and MOLT-4 target cells have been transfected via electroporation with cloned human class I HLA-A2 and HLA-B7 genes. Stably transfected cells expressing varying levels of cell-surface class I HLA have been selected by fluorescent activated cell sorting and tested for susceptibility to NK-mediated cytolysis by freshly isolated peripheral blood NK cells from nine normal volunteers as well as by cloned human NK effectors and tumor cells from a patient with an NK cell lymphoproliferative disorder. Expression of class I HLA did not alter the susceptibility of K562 or MOLT-4 target cells to NK-mediated cytolysis by any of the effectors tested. In addition, the class I HLA-expressing transfectant cells were identical to mock transfected cells in their ability to compete for lysis in cold target inhibition assays. Treatment of both mock-transfected and class I HLA-transfected K562 cells with IFN-gamma resulted in decreased susceptibility to NK-mediated cytolysis which was independent of the total level of class I HLA expression. These results demonstrate that the level of target cell class I HLA expression is not sufficient to determine susceptibility or resistance to NK-mediated cytolysis of the classical NK targets K562 and MOLT-4.