NEUTROPHIL-MEDIATED ANTIBODY-DEPENDENT KILLING OF HERPES-SIMPLEX-VIRUS-INFECTED CELLS

Abstract

The ability of neutrophils to serve as effectors of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) was studied using herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected human embryonic lung cells as targets. Killing of infected cells by neutrophils required HSV-immune serum and did not take place in the presence of non-immune serum or in the absence of serum. Uninfected cells were not killed. ADCC was evident by 30 min and reached a value of 66% by 4 h at an effector:target ratio of 100:1. Cells from patients with chronic granulomatous disease were as effective as normal cells. ADCC may be mediated by processes that are independent of the respiratory burst.