PMID: 2495037Apr 1, 1989Paper

Endogenously generated activated killer cells circulate after autologous and allogeneic marrow transplantation but not after chemotherapy.

Blood
J E ReittieM K Brenner

Abstract

After marrow transplantation, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted natural killer (NK) lymphocytes are among the first cells to appear in the circulation. After T-cell-depleted bone marrow transplantation (TD-BMT), these cells have an activated pattern of target cell killing; they also secrete lymphokines including gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and may have a significant role as a primary defense against viral reactivation and in the elimination of residual host malignancy. We studied 43 patients with hematologic malignancy, treated by allogeneic TD-BMT, autologous nondepleted BMT, or chemotherapy alone to investigate (a) the mechanisms underlying the generation of these activated killer cells, (b) the range of conditions under which they are produced, and (c) their surface phenotype. We showed that gamma-IFN-secreting activated killer cells with the capacity to kill MHC-nonidentical NK-resistant targets are generated 4 to 6 weeks after either allogeneic TD-BMT or autologous BMT but do not appear after treatment with chemotherapy. Production therefore is not owing to T-cell depletion per se or to host donor alloreactivity, nor is it caused by stimulation by al...Continue Reading

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