Development of natural killer cell function in the human fetus.

  • Uksila J
  • Lassila O
  • Hirvonen T
  • et al.
53Citations
Citations of this article
8Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

NK cell activity of four human premature infants between 28 and 33 wk of gestation and eleven human fetuses at 9 to 22 wk of gestation was tested against the K-562 cell line in a 4-hr 51Cr-release assay. Cord blood lymphocytes from premature infants expressed well-developed NK capacity, although the level of cytotoxicity was lower than that of full-term newborns or adults. Cells prepared from fetal liver displayed cytotoxicity against K-562 targets in four out of eleven fetuses, whereas cells from fetal bone marrow, spleen, and thymus expressed only marginal or negative anti-K-562 killing. NK cell activity in the fetal liver was observed as early as at 9 wk of gestation. The functional NK capacity of premature infants and fetuses was augmented in vitro by IFN-alpha treatment. Fetal cells without spontaneous NK activity did not develop cytotoxicity against K-562 target cells in the presence of IFN-alpha. The present results corroborate the concept of the intrauterine development of human NK cell activity.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Uksila, J., Lassila, O., Hirvonen, T., & Toivanen, P. (1983). Development of natural killer cell function in the human fetus. The Journal of Immunology, 130(1), 153–156. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.130.1.153

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free