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A Cytocidal System in Normal Human Serum Active Against Ehrlich Lettré Ascites Tumor cells

I. Identification of the Components of the System and Site of Attachment

Virus Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

The natural cytocidal system in normal human serum active against Ehrlich Lettré ascites tumor cells was found to involve serum complement and ß-globulin. While all 4 components of complement were found to be required in order for the cytocidal action to be expressed, only C'4 was necessary for the attachment of the ß-globulin to the tumor cell. Adsorption of the serum with cells from primary cultures of mouse lung, kidney, or testis had no effect on the cytocidal activity of the serum. Adsorption of the serum with HeLa cells or Ehrlich Lettré ascites tumor cells rendered the serum noncytocidal. Immunofluorescence studies with whole ascites tumor cells and thin sections of these cells indicated that the ß-globulin attaches to the tumor cell membrane. The cytocidal activity of sera from a number of different animals was compared to the cytocidal activity of normal human serum.

¹ Predoctoral Trainee, Research Training Grant 5T1 GM-512, Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH.

² Present address: Department of Virology, The Public Health Research Institute of the City of New York, Inc., New York, N. Y.

Received 2/17/66. Accepted 8/18/66.