A semi-automated rapid and sensitive microcytotoxicity assay for antibody-mediated cytolysis

This technique used a Coulter counter to enumerate the target cells remaining after partial lysis with antibody and complement, followed by the destruction of the lysed cells with pronase. Results obtained by this method are compared with those from conventional dye exclusion tests where the final enzymatic step is omitted. Comparisons were made with an anti-Thy-1.2 serum, a monoclonal anti-Thy-1.2 preparation and an anti-H-2k serum. In all cases the semi-automated test gave better results than the dye exclusion test and proved to be highly sensitive and reproducible.