Infiltration and lysis of tumour cell aggregates by adherent interleukin-2-activated natural killer cells is distinct from specific cytolysis.

Adoptively transferred activated natural killer (A-NK) cells infiltrate tumours in vivo. Two in vitro B16-F10 melanoma tumour models were used to study with fluorescence and electron microscopy the infiltration of adherent interleukin 2 (IL-2) A-NK cells: (1) substratum-bound sessile microtumours (MTs), and (2) three-dimensional cell growth on macroporous gelatinous microcarriers (Cultispheres). From 2 h and on increasing numbers of A-NK cells infiltrated the MTs regularly surrounded by a widened intercellular space. An IL-2-dependent disintegration of MTs began at 6-8 h resulting in a release of vital and dead cells. A-NK cell invasion into Cultispheres effectively displaced the melanoma cells from the highly convoluted substratum. Thus, A-NK cell infiltration had a protease-like effect on the tumour cell aggregates which might have a bearing on the interpretation of their cytolytic effect on target cells. Ultrastructural evidence was not obtained of specific A-NK/target conjugate formation or of granule-mediated target cell destruction in either model tumour.