Augmented antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity following sensitization or nonspecific stimulation of human effector cells

Abstract

Human peripheral blood leukocytes were stimulated in vitro with mitogens (poke-weed mitogen, concanavalin A, and phytohemagglutinin) or allogeneic cells. Each form of stimulation augmented the cytotoxic effector cell activity of lymphoid cells in a 4-hr test for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. This augmented activity did not involve release of detectable nonspecific toxins, nor did it require the presence of mitogen during the cytotoxicity test. Stimulated attacking cells appeared more cytotoxic either because of a more potent cytotoxic mechanism per individual cytotoxic cell or because of an increased percentage of cytotoxic cells.