Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes in Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

Abstract

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) lyse antibody-coated target cells in an immunologically specific fashion—antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). PMN-mediated cytolysis is independent of complement, de novo protein synthesis, and DNA replication. Cytolysis is rapid, detectable at low PMN:target cell ratios, and exceeds lymphocyte-mediated ADCC. The interaction appears to be mediated via an Fc receptor and is inhibited by aggregated γ-globulin. A role for PMN in host tumor cell immunity is discussed.