The function of human NK cells is enhanced by beta-glucan, a ligand of CR3 (CD11b/CD18).

Cells responsible for the natural killer (NK) effect in the human blood can be collected in the low-density lymphocyte subset and the majority of them express CR3. In addition to the iC3b binding site the CR3 molecules possess an epitope which binds beta-glucan. Ligands of this site can deliver activation signals to CR3-carrying monocytes and neutrophils. We found that the function of NK cells was also potentiated by preincubation with beta-glucan. The treatment increased the proportion of target-binding lymphocytes and of the damaged target cells in the conjugates. The monoclonal antibody OKM-1, directed to the beta-glucan-binding site of CR3, abrogated this effect. Another CR3-reactive monoclonal antibody, M522, known to activate monocytes and neutrophils, enhanced the NK function.