Leu 7+(HNK-l+) Cells.

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Abstract
Combined methods (indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies, Percoll density fractionation, FACS [fluorescence-activated cell sorter] analysis, and the cytotoxicity test) were used for further characterization of [human] peripheral blood Leu 7+ cells (human NK [natural killer] and K [killer] cells). The Leu 7+ cell content was relatively higher in the low-density cell fraction in which cells of large granular lymphocyte morphology predominated. Leu 7+ cells were also present in intermediate and high-density fractions. Low-density Leu 7+ cells were characterized by both Leu 2 (T suppressor/cytotoxic) and OKM1 (myelomonocytic) markers, whereas among high-density Leu 7+ cells the Leu 2 phenotype strictly predominated. Depletion of OKT3+ cells from the non-adherent cell population caused a decrease of cells with T helper and T suppressor phenotypes but did not have this effect on Leu 7+ and OKM1+ cells. After depletion of Leu 7+ cells from the OKT3 population the content of both T suppressor and OKM1+ cells decreased. The results and previous reports suggest that 2 main Leu 7+ cell populations are present in blood, i.e., Leu 7+ Leu 2+Leu 4+ and Leu 7+/OKM1+ cells. The presence of small and large Leu 7+ cells was also shown by FACS analysis.