Natural killer cell activity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in newborn infants

• The ability of lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of preterm and term infants and adult women and men to mediate natural killing (NK) and K cell activity (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity) was analysed in 4 hours 51Cr-release assays. K 562 cells were targets for NK activity. K cell activity was assayed on antibody-coated rat thymocytes. Lymphocytes from adult male donors were significantly more cytotoxic to K 562 cells than were lymphocytes from adult female donors. Lymphocytes from both preterm and term infants had significantly lower NK and K cell activity than lymphocytes from adult donors. During the first month of life no increase in NK activity or K cell activity occurred in 7 infants who were re-examined. It is concluded that neither NK nor K cell activities are fully developed during the first month of life.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Immunologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Immunology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Adult

Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic

Female

Humans

Infant

Infant, Newborn

Infant, Premature

Killer Cells, Natural/immunology

Lymphocytes/immunology

Male

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