In vitro effect of immune complex positive human sera on antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity

The effect of immune complex positive and negative (control) sera on the antibody dependent cytotoxicity of normal human lymphocytes was studied in a xenogeneic assay in vitro. Significant inhibitions were obtained with the sera of immune complex positive patients as compared with age and sex matched controls. The possible significance of these findings in autoimmune diseases and malignancies is discussed.