It is assumed that NK are roughly delineated at the pre T cell stage. In
fact Nk cells have many similar markers and activities to T cells. Some
suggest they are primordial and have remained due to their early entrance
into inflammatory sites. We are working on various surface molecules that
are found on both NK and T cells.
Rag ko mice do not have B or T cells because of a disfunctional
rearrangement of the Ig or TcR respectively. NK cells do not rearrange so
they exist in these mice. Nude do not have T cells since thymic
maturation is neccessary yet NK cells exist.
