Antibody-mediated cell-dependent immunity in human lymphocytes

Cytotoxic effects of activated human monocytes and lymphocytes to anti-D-treated human erythrocytes in vitro

Incubation of human monocytes, derived from peripheral blood, with cell-free supernatants from mixed lymphocyte cultures resulted in morphological and functional changes in the mature macrophages. Activation of monocyte-derived macrophages by these factors resulted in a significant increase in their capacity to lyse anti-D-treated human erythrocytes. The lytic activity of both normal and activated macrophages appeared to be independent of erythrophagocytosis. T lymphocytes activated by either allogeneic cells or the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin were not cytolytic to treated erythrocytes even at high effector to target cell ratios.

Anti-donor immune responses in prediction of transplant rejection

We assessed various immune responses against donor tissue to determine their value in the diagnosis and prediction of clinical rejection episodes. Twenty-six consecutive clinical renal-transplant recipients were examined. Cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity preceded and accompanied 41 of 45 rejection episodes (P less than 0.001). Complement-dependent antibody was present in 12 of 15 rejections (P less than 0.002)--four not accompanied by, and eight in association with, cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity. Mixed lymphocyte reactivity or nonreactivity and inhibition by autologous serum occurred equally often in rejection and quiescence. Lymphocyte-dependent antibody occurred during both rejection episodes and quiescent phases, with a greater frequency during quiescence (P = 0.05). Cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity was the best predictor of rejection (P less than 0.05). Cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity was the best predictor of rejection (P less than 0.001), and was more easily suppressed by standard immunosuppressive therapy, than complement-dependent antibody. If specific cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity, with or without antibody, recurred after rejection therapy, the graft underwent further rejection.

Some methodological studies on effector cells in the lymphocyte-dependent cytotoxic antibody assay

A method of direct freezing was found to be reliable for storage of the effectors for the LDA assay, though there is a considerable loss of cells. In order to get immunologically active K cells after thawing, an important step is to leave the cells to recuperate overnight in an appropriate medium before use. A short-term storage of fresh effectors is also possible. The use of a pool of effector cells from a minimum of 3 random blood donors obviates the selection of HL-A types furthermore permits a saving of the amount of serum used. Enrichment of a B cell population by removing the cells capable of forming spontaneous rosettes with SRBC was not found to enhance cytotoxicity. Pretreatment of cells with pronase, trypsin and neuraminidase did not significantly enhance their effector activity, while papain treated cells showed a systematically increased specific lysis.

The use of directly frozen cells in LDA assay

A method of direct freezing is described which requires a cryoprotective medium consisting of human AB serum and DMSO, an ultra-low temperature freezer and a liquid-nitrogen refrigerator. Fresh and directly frozen cells were compared in the LDA assay. Direct freezing is quite reliable for normal lymphocytes, PHA transformed lymphocytes or leukaemic blasts used as targets. However, a controlled freezing procedure may be necessary to preserve the effector cell activity.

Anti-HL-A7 lymphocyte-dependent antibody

Target cell specificity of a human cytotoxic lymphocyte-dependent antiserum correlated with the presence of HL-A7 on target cells. Target cells from 10 of 11 HL-A7-positive donors were damaged in vitro by this antiserum together with lymphocytes from normal donors. Target cells from six donors lacking HL-A7 were not damaged. Cytotoxic activity was removed by adsorption of the antiserum with lymphocytes from any one of four HL-A7-positive donors. Adsorption with lymphocytes from any one of three HL-A7-negative donors failed to eliminate cytotoxic activity.