Identification of macromolecular insoluble cold globulin (MICG) as a new marker shared by NK and ADCC cells, but not expressed by NC cells.

We report here that cytotoxic pretreatment of spleen cells from six different strains of young adult mice with a monospecific rabbit antiserum against macromolecular insoluble cold globulin (MICG) effectively abrogates spontaneous NK activity directed towards YAC-1 tumour cells. MICG is a 225,000 molecular weight glycoprotein that is present in the plasma membrane of adult thymocytes and peripheral T cells, as well as in embryonic prothymocytes, but absent in granulocytes and B lymphocytes. The diminished NK activity in lymphocyte populations selectively depleted of MICG+ cells could not be restored by in vitro exposure to the NK boosting agents interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon. Lymphokine-activated spleen NK cells, generated by 48 hr preculture with IL-2 or interferon, expressed high levels of MICG surface antigen, moderate amounts of Thy 1.2 and, in striking contrast to spontaneous NK, very low to negligible amounts of AsGM1. Likewise, spontaneous NK cells in bone marrow were also shown to be both MICG+ and AsGM1+, while lymphokine-activated bone marrow NK cells remained MICG+, but lacked AsGM1. Thus, a clear distinction could be observed between spontaneous and activated NK cells with respect to differential expression of MICG and AsGM1. MICG was also detected on ADCC effector cells, whereas no surface MICG could be found on NC cells. These data are in line with the view that at least certain types of NK cells develop along a common lineage with T lymphocytes in the mouse.