[Ultrastructure and interaction of normal killer cells from human blood and target cells sensitive to them]

Morphological properties of cells possessing a natural cytotoxic activity obtained from blood of healthy persons have been studied, as well as the process of their interaction with sensitive target-cells (K-562). By means of electron microscopy, during incubation at 37 degrees C, appearance of specific morphological manifestations of cytolytic action of the effector-cells forming rather tight contacts with the target-cells (vacuolization of cytoplasm, ring-form defects in plasmalemma, subsequent destruction of the target-cells) has been followed. Morphological features of cytotoxic leucocytes are similar to the morphological criteria specific for T gamma (T-lymphocytes possessing receptors for Fc-fragment of immunoglobulin G) and zero lymphocytes: a rather low nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, a well developed Golgi complex, a rather great amount of mitochondria.