Abstract
Cytotoxicity occurring in vitro mediated by lymphocytes from non-immunized donors is termed “natural cytotoxicity” (NC) and studies in experimental animals have suggested that NC is related to immune surveillance in vivo. Therefore, we have investigated the NC effector cell potential of peripheral blood lymphocytes from a variety of immunodeficiency patients. Cytotoxicity was assessed employing 51Cr labelled allogeneic Chang targets. NC effector cell activity was normal in patients with hypogammaglo-bulinemia (hypo-γ) (N=25), selective IgA deficiency (7), Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (5), ataxia-telangiectasia (2), and dysgammaglo-bulinemia (3). NC activity was present inspite of profound functional deficiencies in T-cells and B-cells as assessed both in vitro and in vivo. Cytotoxic activity was present in hypo-γ patients with and without sIg bearing B-lymphocytes. NC effector activity was present in one patient with severe combined immunodeficiency and absent in a second such patient. This finding suggests that assessment of NC effector activity may provide unique insights into lymphocyte differentiative defects in some human diseases. The finding of normal NC activity in most immunodeficiency patients demonstrates that certain non-specific cellular effector mechanisms are preserved in patients lacking specific immunologic responsiveness and suggest that the increased incidence of neoplasia observed in these patients may not be attributable to defective immunologic surveillance.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nelson, D., Bundy, B. 721 ANALYSIS OF “NATURAL CYTOTOXICITY” IN IMMUNODEFICIENCY PATIENTS. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 484 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00726
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00726