Wheat-germ agglutinin initiates monocytoid cell killing of non-antibody-coated erythrocytes.
Cells bearing alien surface antigens can be specifically destroyed by antibodies directed to the antigens and certain Fc receptor-bearing lymphoid or monocytoid cells through a killing mechanism known as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The present study was undertaken to see if lectins could substitute for specific antibody in ADCC and initiate lysis of non-antibody-coated erythrocytes. Human peripheral blood leucocytes and mouse PU-5 monocytoid cell lines were used as effector cells. Target-cell destruction was measured by the specific release of 51Cr. Our data indicated that Wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA), but not concanavalin A or soybean agglutinin, could activate killing of non-antibody-coated erythrocytes by human peripheral blood leucocytes and PU-5 cells. The membrane structure on the effector cell that was triggered by WGA directly related to N-acetyl-glucosamine and may be adjacent to, if not part of, the Fc receptor.
D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000276:immunology; D012756:Sheep; D013997:Time Factors; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins
D037102:Lectins; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D000117:Acetylglucosamine