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Thy1(+) lymphocytes with LAK-like activity are present in rat liver sinusoids
1Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan.
The Kurume Medical Journal
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Aging enhances the cytotoxic activity of rat liver lymphocytes, particularly against NK-resistant targets. These cytotoxic cells are identified as Thy1-positive large granular lymphocytes (LGLs), suggesting a broad cytotoxic potential.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Liver sinusoidal lymphocytes possess cytotoxic activity.
- The impact of aging on these cytotoxic cells is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of aging on the cytotoxicity of rat liver sinusoidal lymphocytes.
- To identify the specific cell types responsible for this cytotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Assessing Natural Killer (NK) and Lymphokine-Activated Killer (LAK)-like activity against various cell lines at different ages.
- Utilizing cold target inhibition assays and Percoll density gradient fractionation.
- Employing Thy1 monoclonal antibody and CD5-conjugated beads for cell subset analysis.
- Performing immunohistologic examination of liver sinusoidal lymphocytes.
Main Results:
- NK activity peaked at 8 weeks, while LAK-like cytotoxicity increased with age.
- Cytotoxic lymphocytes, identified as large granular lymphocytes (LGLs), were found in aged rat liver sinusoids.
- Thy1-positive LGLs with specific ultrastructural features were identified, suggesting a role in cytotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Aging significantly modulates the cytotoxic function of liver sinusoidal lymphocytes.
- Thy1-positive LGLs are the primary cytotoxic cells in aged rat liver sinusoids.
- These cells exhibit LAK-like activity and a broad cytotoxic potential.