Determination of specificity in natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity by natural antibodies

Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) appeared to involve similar cytotoxic mechanisms; effector N-cells killed target cells with IgG antibodies attached to the Fc receptor determining the specificity of the reaction. In NCMC the wide range of specificities detected by natural antibodies provided an effector system capable of recognizing numerous antigens on cultured target cells. When several target cells were tested concurrently, an apparent nonselective cytotoxicity resulted. The specificity of individual reactions against each of the target cells could be demonstrated by selective inhibition with competitor cells. The inhibition of cytotoxicity by competition and the effect of proteases on the effector cell for NCMC, but not for ADCC, initially suggested an antibody on the surface of the natural cytotoxic effector cell. This suggestion was supported by the loss of activity with treatments that removed immunoglobulins on the effector cell and by the recovery of reactivity with incubation of the cells in normal human serum. Absorption of the reconstituting serum with target cells resulted in loss of activity against that target cell, substantiating the role of natural antibodies.