Changes in natural killer cells activity in mice bearing subcutaneously implanted Lewis lung carcinoma
Budzyński, W.
Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis 32(2): 185-189
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-069X PMID: 6487051 Document Number: 232387
Natural killer (NK) cytotoxic activity was measured against the standard target cell line YAC-1 Lewis lung carcinoma (LL) cells. The peak of cytotoxic activity in spleen and bone marrow appeared in mice 3 days after tumor inoculation. There were no differences in cytotoxic effect between tumor bearing and normal mice on day 7. The significant decrease was observed in tumor bearing mice on day 14 and 21. However, at that time the spleen cellularity increased 2.7 and 3.8 times, respectively, suggesting a possible dilution effect of NK cells in mice with splenomegaly. Bone marrow cellularity remained unchanged as compared to control. The possible mechanisms of a decrease in NK cytotoxic activity and its implications for progression of tumor growth are considered.