II. The morphology of interleukin-2 stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells killing tumor cells In Vitro
In the previous abstract, we presented data on the cytolysis of glioma-derived cells (SNB-92) by lymphokine activated mononuclear cells (LAK). In this abstract, we describe our transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of the interaction of LAK cells and SNB-92 in vitro during a time sequence of 5 minutes to 4 hours. Co-cultures were fixed in situ by the direct addition to the culture medium of 2.5% glutaraldehyde and prepared in a routine manner for TEM.Within 30 minutes, some cells within the LAK population make contact with glioma cells (Fig 1). These LAK cells assume an elongated shape when they approach their target. The nucleus is asymmetrically located distal to the point of contact. The cellular organelles and microtubules orient towards the target cell. The plasma membranes of both cells bind closely together and form numerous interdigitations.