Mouse effector functions involved in the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity to xenogeneic erythrocytes.

Mouse spleen cell populations were fractionated by carbonyl iron depletion and nylon wool column separation. The fractions were tested for phagocytic and lytic activity against antibody-coated 51Cr-labeled sheep red blood cells. Carbonyl iron resistant cells had no phagocytic activity but caused lysis at a relatively slow rate. Nylon wool column nonadherent cells had a similar effect. In contrast with the slow lytic action of these cells, nylon wool adherent cells or non-carbonyl iron-treated cells had phagocytic as well as rapid lytic action. Under the conditions studied, both rapid and slow lytic functions were saturable whereas the phagocytic function was not.