Ontogeny of Nk-1+ natural killer cells. I. Promotion of Nk-1+ cells in fetal, baby, and old mice.

Using anti-Nk-1.1 serum, the alloantiserum specific for murine natural killer (NK) cells, we followed the ontogenetic development of Nk-1+ cells in fetal thymus, liver, and spleen. A transient population of Nk-1+ cells in fetal thymus was observed on day 14 but not on day 16 of gestation. On day 16 of gestation, Nk-1+ cells were detected only in liver and spleen. The proportion of Nk-1+ cells in spleen remained high (20 to 30%) at birth and persisted until 2 to 3 wk old. The Nk-1+ cells in "baby" (1 to 2 wk old) spleen bound to YAC cells but failed to lyse them in 51Cr-release assay. Upon induction with interferon (IF), the proportion of Nk-1+ cells increased, but the lytic activity remained low, suggesting that the "baby" NK-1+ cells are immature in lytic function. In old mice (12 to 14 mo), Nk-1+ cells were also detectable, even though NK activities were lower compared with those of the young adult (6 to 8 wk old) mice. The Nk-1+ cells of old mice were readily induced by IF to exhibit activities, and the induced NK cells were Nk-1+. We have thus established Nk-1.1 antigen as an early hemopoietic differentiation antigen. Splenic Nk-1- cells could be induce by IF to become NK-1+ cells, which could be inactive or active in NK assays, dependent on the age of the mice.