Antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity of nucleated mammalian cells by rat eosinophils and neutrophils.

Rat eosinophils, neutrophils and K cells have been compared for their ability to kill antibody-coated mammalian cells. Eosinophils are shown to have similar cytotoxic activity to neutrophils. Both cells are active at a low effector to target cell ratio and induce a rapid 51Cr release. Eosinophil and neutrophil cytotoxic activity differ from K cell activity in that granulocytes need a higher antiserum concentration. Furthermore, when different homologous antisera were compared each effector cell reacted preferentially with a different antiserum. Cytotoxicity by eosinophils and neutrophils is shown to depend on specific contact with the target cells as susceptible bystander cells are not killed. Neutrophils appear to be inhibited by macrophages present in the effector cell population since higher levels of 51Cr release are obtained following their depletion by the purification techniques employed.