Detection of human ADCC activity using automated flow cytometry.

Using automated flow cytometry techniques we have developed a rapid assay to measure human antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). By staining cell cultures for DNA content, chick red blood cell targets can be readily distinguished from human effector cells and ADCC can be measured by changes in their relative proportions. The sensitivity and rapidly of the assay is shown by the finding that at an effector to target ratio of only 2:1, 42% killing can be detected after 1 h incubation.