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Characterization of Cytotoxic Effector Cells in the Mouse Mammary Tumor System
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1975
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Lymphocyte DevelopmentImmunologyImmune RegulationPathologyImmunoeditingImmunologic MechanismAbstract Cell TypesImmunotherapyImmune SystemCancer BiologyTumor BiologyTumor ImmunityT CellCancer ResearchMammary GlandImmune SurveillanceAutoimmunityT Cell ImmunityHumoral ImmunitySpleen Cell PopulationsCell BiologyTumor MicroenvironmentCancer ImmunosurveillanceCytotoxic Effector CellsBreast CancerCellular Immune ResponseMedicine
Abstract Cell types involved in the immune response in vitro to MTV-induced BALB/cfC3H mammary tumors have been studied with techniques designed to inactivate or deplete different cytotoxic effector cells from spleen cell populations. The minimal activity of spleen cells from neonatally MTV-infected virgin BALB/cfC3H females is dependent upon the presence of T cells. Spleens from multiparous BALB/cfC3H females have a more active T cell population, and, in addition, a non-T cell population which is active early in the culture period. Responses of spleen cells from multiparous BALB/cfC3H females bearing small tumors are similar to those of tumor-free multiparous females. However, after the tumors grow to large size, the activity of the non-T cell population is no longer detectable. The cytotoxic activity of spleen cells from BALB/c females older than 14 weeks (supposedly not infected with MTV) is not dependent upon the presence of T cells. No activity is shown by spleen cells from BALB/c females younger than 14 weeks. Positive control spleen cells were obtained from C3H female mice who had been immunized to BALB/c histocompatibility antigens by a skin allograft; both a T cell and a non-T cell response were found.