Rejection of bone marrow allografts by mice with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID). Evidence that natural killer cells can mediate the specificity of marrow graft rejection

J Exp Med. 1987 Apr 1;165(4):1212-7. doi: 10.1084/jem.165.4.1212.

Abstract

C.B-17 scid (H-2d) mice are homozygous for the gene that causes severe combined immune deficiency (SCID). These mice have no T or B cell function, yet display normal natural killer (NK) activity. Irradiated SCID mice were challenged with marrow grafts to determine if antibodies are necessary for marrow allograft rejection. SCID mice rejected H-2/Hh-1 allogeneic marrow grafts. Moreover, this rejection capability could be adoptively transferred using SCID marrow as a source of NK progenitors infused into irradiated B6 (H-2b) hosts. We conclude that NK cells can mediate marrow allograft reactivity in the absence of immunoglobulin. It follows that NK cells probably have specific receptors for Hh antigens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation*
  • Graft Rejection
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / genetics
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR / genetics
  • Mice, Inbred ICR / immunology
  • Mice, Inbred Strains / immunology
  • Mice, Mutant Strains / genetics
  • Mice, Mutant Strains / immunology*
  • Poly I-C / pharmacology
  • Radiation Chimera
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Poly I-C