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Possible mechanism for target cell lysis by cytotoxic T‐cells
Author(s) -
Friedberg R. C.,
Bitensky L.,
Chayen J.,
Muir I. H.,
Askonas B. A.,
Taylor P. M.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
cell biochemistry and function
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1099-0844
pISSN - 0263-6484
DOI - 10.1002/cbf.290020207
Subject(s) - lysis , cytotoxic t cell , membrane , intracellular , microbiology and biotechnology , lysosome , acid phosphatase , cell , cytotoxicity , chemistry , cytolysis , cell membrane , biology , biochemistry , enzyme , in vitro
The mechanism of the lysis of target cells by cytotoxic T‐cells (Tc) is still obscure; there is no evidence for transfer of material from the Tc and prior to lysis, despite intimate contact, the plasma membranes of both types of cell appear to remain intact. The effects on the target cell lysosomes of brief contact between anti‐viral Tc and targets bearing both the appropriate histocompatibility and viral antigens, have been examined cytochemically. Both the distribution of acid phosphatase activity and the percentage bound lysosomal naphthylamidase activity indicated that, in virus‐infected target cells exposed to Tc, the lysosomal membranes became totally labilized. Thus the contact between Tc and targets appears to cause sufficient perturbation of the target plasma membrane as to cause the intracellular release of some agent that activates ‘suicide capsule’ lysosomes.