Naïve Rat NK Cells Control the Onset of T Cell Response
Figure 3
NK cells infiltrate the draining lymph nodes and expanded proportion in spleen and blood in the early phase of immune response. A:
Analysis of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in draining cervical lymph nodes, spleen and blood revealed unaltered percentages in naive and transplanted Lewis rats. B: Percentages of 3.2.3+ cells in draining cervical lymph nodes, spleen and blood of Lewis wt rats, naive or 3 days post transplantation of L23 (+L23). In contrast to T cells the increase of 3.2.3+ cells indicated infiltration and expansion of NK cells and/or monocytes. C: Staining with mAb 3.2.3 of lymph nodes, spleen and blood of LEW.BH-NKC identified NK cells in naive rats or at different time points after transplantation of L23 cells. Detection of NK cells confirmed the increase in draining lymph nodes, spleen and blood at the early phase of immune response. The comparison of draining lymph node cells with population of mesenterial lymph nodes revealed a weak increase of NK cells. Results are shown as graphs summarising results of at least three independent experiments as mean ± standard deviation.