Expression of an evolutionarily conserved function associated molecule on sheep, horse and cattle natural killer cells.
Abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are large granular lymphocytes that lyse a wide variety of transformed and virally-infected target cells without prior exposure to antigen, and without restriction by major histocompatibility complex antigens. Although NK cells have been identified in a variety of mammalian species, how NK cells recognize antigen and trigger lysis is unknown. Recently, monoclonal antibodies made against NK-like cells from teleost fish were shown to react with NK cells from humans and rats, and to inhibit their cytolytic activity. The role of this apparently evolutionarily conserved function-associated molecule (FAM) has been further investigated utilizing a variety of domesticated farm animal species. It was observed that the anti-FAM mAb reacted specifically with peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from sheep, horses and cattle. Further, the anti-FAM mAb inhibited NK cell lytic activity in each of these species. Finally, the anti-FAM mAb was found to inhibit conjugate formation between NK and target cells, implying that the FAM was involved in antigen recognition by NK cells in each of these species. In conclusion, it appears that NK cell function is mediated by an evolutionarily conserved FAM in a wide variety of species.
Publication Date: 1993-10-01 PubMed ID: 8291205DOI: 10.1016/0165-2427(93)90087-kGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates a molecule associated with the function of Natural Killer (NK) cells found in sheep, horses, and cattle, highlighting its evolutionary conservation and its possible role in the recognition and destruction of virally-infected and transformed cells.
Introduction to NK cells and Function Associated Molecule (FAM)
- NK cells are significant components of the immune system, responsible for the destruction of infected and transformed cells. A significant facet of their function is being able to do so without previous exposure to the antigen.
- The research shed light on a molecule referred to as a Function Associated Molecule (FAM) that appears to be conserved in evolution across multiple species.
- Understanding the functionality of FAM could be critical in determining how NK cells recognize and destroy their targets.
Investigation of FAM with Monoclonal Antibodies
- Monoclonal antibodies, which are antibodies made from identical immune cells, were created and used against NK-like cells from fish.
- These antibodies were identified to react with NK cells in humans, rats, identifying a conserved evolutionary characteristic of NK cells.
- The study went further to analyze this interaction with NK cells from domesticated animal species such as sheep, horses, and cattle.
Results and Observations
- The researchers identified that these monoclonal antibodies specific to the FAM reacted specifically with peripheral blood lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) from the domesticated species studied.
- They found that these antibodies inhibited NK cell lytic activity, which is the process of destroying target cells, suggesting the potential role of FAM in this function.
- The antibodies also hindered the formation of conjugates (bonded cells) between NK cells and their target cells, implying FAM’s involvement in the antigen recognition process.
Conclusion and Significance
- In conclusion, the research suggests that an evolutionarily conserved FAM mediates NK cell function across a wide range of species.
- Such an understanding can provide in-depth insight into the functioning of the immune system across species and could be vital for further research in immunology and medicine.
Cite This Article
APA
Harris DT, Camenisch TD, Jaso-Friedmann L, Evans DL.
(1993).
Expression of an evolutionarily conserved function associated molecule on sheep, horse and cattle natural killer cells.
Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 38(3-4), 273-282.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-2427(93)90087-k Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Biological Evolution
- Cattle / immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- Cross Reactions / immunology
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / immunology
- Horses / immunology
- Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
- Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / genetics
- Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / immunology
- Sheep / immunology
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