Granulocyte-specific monoclonal antibody inhibiting cytotoxicity reactions in the chicken

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) 1C3, specific for chicken granulocytes, is described for the first time. Treatment of peripheral blood leukocytes with this MAb markedly decreased natural cytotoxicity reaction against the target cell line. The antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity of purified granulocytes was also severely affected by treatment with MAb 1C3. These results suggest that 1C3 detects a functional surface antigen on chicken granulocytes and support the hypothesis that granulocytes are the main effector cells in natural cytotoxicity in the chicken.