Inhibition of B Cell Cytotoxicity by Aggregated IgG and Immune Complexes

Abstract

The presence of immune complexes or aggregated IgG in the microlymphocytotoxicity assay may cause inhibition of cytoxity. When HLA‐A and ‐B antigens are the subject of the test the effect is minimal; however, when B cell alloantigens are being examined the effect is marked. The pattern of inhibition in the latter case and the fact that B lymphocytes preincubated with immune complexes are resistant to cytotoxic lysis by anti‐B cell sera suggests that immune complexes and aggregated IgG inhibit cytotoxicity by prevention of antibody binding rather than by complement consumption. Copyright © 1977, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved