Immunoultrastructural studies of human NK cells: I. Ultracytochemistry and comparison with T cell subsets.

Human NK activity is known to be associated with a population of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) exhibiting several immunophenotypic surface markers including Leu-11a (NKP-15), Leu-7 (HNK-1), Leu-3a (T4), and Leu-2a (T8). Based upon correlation with cytolytic activity, Leu-11a is now considered the most specific antigenic marker for human NK cells. Present investigation compared the ultrastructure of cells expressing Leu-11a, Leu-7, Leu-3a, and Leu-2a, both in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and the purified LGL fraction. Subcellular cytochemical reactions were investigated in Leu-7+ or Leu-11a+ PBL or LGL and in cells conjugated with K562 targets (indicating NK cytolytic potential). The surface markers, localized with monoclonal antibodies, were detected by immunoelectron microscopy by using direct or indirect avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) or colloidal gold methods. A peroxidase-colloidal gold double-labeling system was used to identify subsets of Leu-7+ or Leu-11a+ cells. Previously described ultrastructural features of LGL including a villous surface, reniform nuclei, low nuclear/cytoplasm ratios, and abundant cytoplasm with vesicles, vacuoles, electron-dense granules, parallel tubular arrays (PTA), or paracrystalline inclusions were associated with Leu-7+, Leu-11a+, Leu-7+/Leu-11a+, Leu-7+/Leu-11a-, and Leu-7-/Leu-11a+ PBL or LGL. Results showed that the Leu-7+/Leu-11a+ cells were the most abundant NK cells in PBL. Lymphocyte subsets with Leu-3a or Leu-2a surface marker showed some ultrastructural features including PTA similar to Leu-7+ cells and Leu-11a+ cells, and their subsets. These T-cells appeared ultrastructurally more similar to the Leu-7+/Leu-11a- subset. Cytochemical studies showed that electron-dense cytoplasmic granules and PTA typical of the Leu-11a+ cells and Leu-7+ cells contained glycoprotein, acid phosphatase, and arylsulfatase. Large cytoplasmic vacuoles were heterogeneous and typically contained electron-dense material with DAB reactivity, membranous material, PTA, and/or paracrystalline inclusions. Glycoprotein, acid phosphatase, and arylsulfatase, and peroxidase reactive material were also found in these vacuoles. These features suggested that the vacuoles could be secondary lysosomes. The coexistence of intact PTA or degenerating PTA in the same vacuoles with paracrystalline inclusions suggested that the latter are possibly derived from PTA.