Functionally involved cell surface antigens on murine lymphokine activated killer cells

To investigate the possible involvement of some cell surface structures on lymphoid cells in the functional activity of lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells, a number of monoclonal antibodies (Mab) against such structures was studied for their ability to inhibit LAK activity in a standard cytotoxicity assay against the natural killer-insensitive target cell EL-4. Almost complete inhibition of LAK activity resulted from incubation with antibodies to the LFA-1 antigen, while blocking of the Lyt 2 antigen reduced cytotoxic activity about 50%. Mab to T-200 gave a weak and inconsistent inhibitory activity, while antibodies to Thy 1, L3T4, IL-2 receptor and MHC class I antigens were without effect. Mab to LFA-1 and Lyt 2 inhibited LAK activity towards EL-4, YAC-1 and differentiated F-9 teratocarcinoma cells, but did not affect LAK-mediated killing of undifferentiated F-9 cells. Experiments with separate preincubation of effector and target cells revealed that both LFA-1 and Lyt 2 inhibited LAK activity at the effector cell level only.