Involvement of HLA-DR+ large granular lymphocytes in the induction of tumor necrosis factor by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex.

This study shows that normal human large granular lymphocytes (LGL) secrete tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in response to Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAI). Percoll density gradient fractionation of peripheral mononuclear cells showed TNF activity in the fractions corresponding to LGL and not T cells, even when 5% monocytes were added to the T lymphocytes for accessory function. TNF release was not abrogated by treatment of the crude LGL preparations with anti-Leu M3, -CD4, and -CD8 antibodies (Ab) plus complement (C), but was abrogated by anti-CD16 and -CD2 Ab, as expected. Interestingly, anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment significantly diminished TNF activity from LGL, but maintained natural killer (NK) cell function unmodified as opposed to CD2+ and CD16+ cell depletion. Panning studies demonstrated that TNF secretion upon MAI stimulation resided only in the HLA-DR+ LGL and not the DR- LGL population. These results indicate that normal fresh HLA-DR+ LGL, as well as monocytes, are also responsible for rapid TNF secretion during early MAI infection. These DR+ cells appear to be distinct from those expressing NK function.