Enhancement of NK, but not K cell activity by different interferons

Two different interferons derived either from a human lymphoblastoid cell line (Namalva) or from human fibroblasts were tested for their ability to modulate natural killer (NK) or killer (K) cell activity. The lymphoblastoid interferon was purified by ion-exchange chromatography on SP-Sephadex C-25 and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, the fibroblast-derived interferon was purified by chromatography on porous glass beads. Evidence is presented that NK cell activity is enhanced by both of these interferons being active to a similar extent. When tissue culture cells are employed as targets for measurement of K cell activity, the augmentation of cytotoxicity by interferons has to be attributed to the inherent NK cell activity. With the use of the autologous hapten-coated target cells and of affinity chromatography purified antibodies, the cytotoxicity is displayed solely by K cells and this activity is not enhanced by either interferons tested.