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LDH isoenzyme distribution in human T gamma lymphocytes
Immunology Letters
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Natural killer (NK) cells, identified as T gamma+ lymphocytes, exhibit a lower B:A subunit ratio in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes. This distinct LDH pattern suggests a unique metabolic profile for NK cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- T gamma+ lymphocytes, a subset of T cells, possess characteristics of natural killer (NK) cells.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes, composed of B and A subunits, play a crucial role in cellular metabolism.
- Understanding the metabolic profile of immune cells like NK cells is vital for immunology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme distribution in T gamma+ lymphocytes.
- To determine if T gamma+ lymphocytes, enriched for NK cell markers, exhibit a distinct LDH B:A subunit ratio.
- To explore the metabolic characteristics of NK cells through their LDH isoenzyme patterns.
Main Methods:
- Purification of T gamma+ lymphocytes from normal individuals using ox-IgG rosette sedimentation.
- Measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme distribution, specifically the B:A subunit ratio.
- Phenotyping of T gamma+ lymphocytes using monoclonal antibodies (OKT11, OKM1, OKT3).
- Enrichment of T gamma+ lymphocytes via OKT3 depletion to confirm LDH pattern independence from immune complex activation.
Main Results:
- T gamma+ lymphocytes demonstrated a significantly lower B:A subunit ratio compared to other lymphocyte populations.
- Phenotypic analysis revealed that T gamma+ lymphocytes were predominantly OKT11+, OKM1+, and OKT3-.
- The low B:A ratio persisted even after enrichment, indicating it's an intrinsic property and not due to in vitro immune complex activation.
- The enriched T gamma+ lymphocytes exhibited characteristics of NK cells, including morphology and NK cell activity.
Conclusions:
- Natural killer (NK) cells, identified as T gamma+ lymphocytes, possess a distinct lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme profile characterized by a low B:A subunit ratio.
- This finding suggests a unique metabolic pathway or requirement in NK cells.
- The LDH isoenzyme distribution may serve as a marker for NK cell identification and functional studies.