Figure 6

The effect of NK1.1 and CD8α depletion on tumor formation. (A-B) IL-15 TG/MT mice were depleted with anti-NK1.1 (n = 6) (A) or anti-CD8α (n = 5) (B) antibody long term starting at 4 weeks of age. (A) In comparison to the tumor formation and survival curves for IL-15 TG/MT mice (n = 36 for percent tumor free, n = 28 for survival), NK1.1 depleted IL-15 TG/MT mouse tumors formed and progressed to endpoint more quickly. IL-15 TG/MT NK1.1 depleted mice were not different from IL-15 KO/MT tumor mice (n = 30). (B) In comparison to the tumor formation and survival curves for IL-15 TG/MT mice, CD8 depleted IL-15 TG/MT mouse tumors formed and progressed to endpoint at a similar rate. (C) Tumors that formed in IL-15 TG/MT NK1.1 depleted mice did not show the extensive destruction seen in normal IL-15 TG/MT tumors and in IL-15 TG/MT CD8 depleted mice. Arrows indicate areas of tumor destruction. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.