Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and natural cytotoxicity: effect of pre-treatment of human lymphocytes with deionised water and ammonium chloride.

Deionised water is an efficient red blood cell lytic agent with no demonstrable deleterious effects on ADCC and natural cytotoxicity (blood and tonsil). Treatment with isotonic ammonium chloride, however, produces a significant reduction of both ADCC and natural cytotoxicity. This reduction is less pronounced if the treatment is carried out at 4 degrees C and is temporary, recovery occurring over a 24 h period of incubation at 37 degrees C.