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Role of non-conventional natural killer cells in resistance against syngeneic tumour cells in vivo

Nature volume 270, pages 609–611 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

IMMUNE reactions of ‘conventional’ T and B lymphocytes are generally thought to constitute major parts of any measurable, ‘specific’ tumour resistance against autologous tumours. There is no doubt that protective immunity can be induced against subsequently transplanted syngeneic tumours in experimental systems1. But, there is only scanty evidence to suggest that conventional immune reactions can provide resistance against such tumour cells when transplantation is made into normal individuals. Yet, it is frequently found that even long-transplanted syngeneic tumour cells may require comparatively high numbers of cells to ensure tumour take in normal recipients. Mice failing to succumb to small numbers of tumour cells can frequently be shown to reject a second graft of the same tumour with similar vigour2. Thus, natural resistance against tumours may occur with no display of classical, immunological memory. That such natural protective forces do exist against tumours has been claimed for many years3, but its underlying basis is poorly understood. Here, we present data indicating that naturally occurring killer cells may play a decisive part in providing resistance against syngeneic tumour cells in vivo.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Uppsala University Medical School, Box 582, S-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden

    O. HALLER

  2. Department of Tumour Biology, The Karolinska Institute, S-104 01, Stockholm, 60, Sweden

    M. HANSSON & R. KIESSLING

  3. Department of Immunology, Uppsala University Medical School, Box 582, S-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden

    H. WIGZELL

Authors
  1. O. HALLER
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  2. M. HANSSON
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  3. R. KIESSLING
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  4. H. WIGZELL
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HALLER, O., HANSSON, M., KIESSLING, R. et al. Role of non-conventional natural killer cells in resistance against syngeneic tumour cells in vivo. Nature 270, 609–611 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/270609a0

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