In vitro boost of human NK activity by a triethylphosphine gold derivative

Human PBL incubated in vitro with the new anti-rheumatic drug triethylphosphine gold (Auranofin) show a rapid concentration-dependent increase in NK reactivity to a variety of targets (Raji, K-562, HAE 70). The process is not affected by major changes in the proportion of monocytes present and is only slightly affected by actinomycin D or cycloheximide. In contrast to TPG, the effect of interferon is to boost the activity of K cells as well as NK cells, and this boost appears to be more sensitive to inhibition of protein or RNA synthesis. These factors suggest that TPG may be working through a different mechanism.