Effect of Fc receptor blocking on human natural and lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against adherent HEp-2 cells.

The effect of Fc receptor (FcR) blocking by aggregated human gamma-globulin (AGG) was studied on natural (NCMC) and lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (LDCC) against adherent HEp-2 human epipharynx carcinoma target cells. Cytotoxicity was measured by detachment from the monolayer of [3H]TdR-prelabelled HEp-2 cells. LDCC was evaluated in a 24 h assay at 50:1 effector-target cell ratio in the presence of 25 micrograms/ml concanavalin A (Con A). Under these conditions but without Con A considerable NCMC was not elicited by normal lymphocytes. FcR blocking by AGG treatment of effector cells resulted in a significant NCMC activity to HEp-2 targets. In contrast, AGG treatment profoundly depressed LDCC. Monocyte depletion of effector cells had no major influence on the effect of AGG on NCMC and LDCC activities. An interference of FcR blocking by AGG and LDCC in response to Con A is suggested.