Effector Function - Cell Cytotoxicity Assays

The immune system contains many mechanisms for the identification and attack of unwanted cells (e.g. viral infection, tumors, etc.). Amongst these are Antibody Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity (ADCC ) and Complement Dependent Cytotoxicity (CDC). In both cases, the cellular killing is mediated by an antibody binding to its target on the cell surface. In the case of ADCC, the killing is mediated by natural killer (NK) cells, while in the case of CDC activity, the killing is mediated by complement proteins.

For ADCC assays, Aragen typically utilizes IL-2 activated normal PBMC's as effector cells and a variety of tumor cells as target cells. However, various sources of PBMC's (e.g normal vs diseased donors) can also be sourced. Aragen's preferred readout for this assay is a FACS-based method, although alternative methods (e.g. ATP release) can also be used.

For CDC, these assays are set up very similar to the above mentioned ADCC assays using FACS as a readout. However, instead of using effector cells (e.g. PBMC's) human complement is used to initiate the killing.

We also offer a panel of assays to detect mechanisms of non-antibody dependent mechanisms of cell death, e.g. apoptosis.