[ADCC against human class II antigens in renal transplantation]

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against Epstein-Barr virus induced human lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) in renal transplantation was examined. Anti-DR sera were able to sensitize LCL corresponding DR antigens in ADCC, while they were not able to sensitize PHA induced lymphoblasts. The ADCC activity against LCL was abolished by absorption of the DR antibodies. It was suggested that LCL were superior to PHA induced lymphoblasts as targets for ADCC. Using LCL and anti-DR sera in ADCC, the K cell activities of renal transplantation patients were investigated. K cell activities of patients treated with cyclosporine or azathioprine and healthy controls were, respectively 0.9 +/- 4.2%, 20.4 +/- 5.6%, and 38.4 +/- 3.0%. Two patients, whose pretransplantation sera did not have complement-dependent cytotoxic (CDC) activity against their donors' lymphocytes but had ADCC activity against donor LCL, suffered acute rejections. The ADCC activity of pretransplantation serum against donor LCL might predict some acute rejections.