57] Assay of augmentation of natural killer cell activity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity by interferon

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter presents methods for augmentation of human natural killer (NK) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activities by interferon (IF). For detailed studies of the effects of IF on NK and ADCC activities, it is very helpful to work with enriched populations of effector cells. The large granular lymphocytes (LGL), separated on discontinuous Percoll density gradients, have been found to account for virtually all of the NK and ADCC activities. Separation of the LGL, with high cytotoxic activity and almost devoid of other lymphoid cell types, is particularly advantageous for examination of the mechanism of augmentation of function, and the associated biochemical changes, induced in these cells by IF. The percentage of ADCC is calculated by subtracting the percentage of cytotoxicity against the non-antibodycoated target cell from that obtained with the antibody-coated target.