THE EFFECTS OF SEX HORMONS ON K-CELL IN ADCC REACTIONS

Abstract

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) toward sheep red blood cells by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was modulated by pretreatment of effector cells with sex hormons: When peripheral blood mononuclear cells were pretreatmented with a given dosis of estrogen, the lysis of erythrocytes via ADCC reaction was enhanced significantry and this enhancement was suppressed by testosterone. A similar effect of sex hormone on ADCC reaction was also demonstrated when silicatreated mononuclear cells were used as a effector. Furthermore, although a excess of estrogen did not alter effector activity, simultaneous addition of low dosis of testosterone was shown to increase in ADCC reaction.
These results suggest a possibility that sex hormones may not only modulate immune responses but also give some effect on ADCC reaction.