Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in humans. I. Characterization of the effector cell

Abstract

Mononuclear cells from human peripheral blood are able to destroy alloantibody-coated target cells of a human lymphoblastoid line. The effector cell is a nonadherent, non-phagocytic, medium sized lymphoid cell. The cell is not detectable in early human fetuses. Its activity is destroyed by x-ray treatment in vitro but is not inhibited by anti-immunoglobulin sera. Its efficiency in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity is rapidly lost in culture and this loss is prevented by stimulation with allogeneic cells.