Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell activity and its mechanism, using K562 cells as target cells by 51Cr release assay, and by analysis of Leu-7 positive (Leu-7+) cells and Leu-11 positive (Leu-11+) cells of mononuclear cells using monoclonal antibody (Leu-7, Leu-11) by Ortho Spectrum III, were examined in patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), in patients with pulmonary emphysema (PE) and in healthy controls.
Results were as follows:
1. In the control group, NK cell activity did not correlate with the donor's age.
2. NK cell activity in patients with DPB was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that in the control group (E/T=10). NK cell activity in patients with PE was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in the control group (E/T=10).
3. The percentage of Leu-7+ cells and Leu-11+ cells in patients with DPB revealed no change, but in patients with PE such percentages were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the control group.
4. The percentage of Leu-7+ cells and Leu-11+ cells did not correlate with NK cell activity in patients with DPB, in patients with PE or in healthy controls.
5. Augmentation of NK cell activity by α-IFN, γ-IFN and IL-2 was observed in patients with DPB, in patients with PE as well as in healthy controls.
6. Production of γ-IFN in patients with DPB was lower than that of the control group, but did not change in patients with PE. On the other hand, production of IL-2 in patients with DPB and in patients with PE was observed, as well as in healthy controls.
These results suggest that the reason for low NK cell activity in patients with DPB possibly results from a reduction of γ-IFN production in the peripheral blood lymphocytes.
