[Activity of specific and natural killer cells in experimental tuberculosis and vaccination]

The dynamics of activity of specific and natural killers was studied in 125 Balb/c mice by reproducing the BCG vaccinal process and primary and secondary tuberculosis. The activity of specific killers rose after vaccination and infection. Their level reached maximum in secondary tuberculosis reproduction. In tuberculosis development cellular killer activity declined. The vaccinal and tuberculous processes are attended by phase variations of natural killer lymphocyte activity which at first rises and subsequently declines. It is suggested that natural killers might play a role in the self-limitation of the immune response and elimination of the mutant cells formed during lymphocyte reproduction in the course of immune response to antigen.