Target cell lysis mediated by concanavalin A-triggered human neutrophils

Human neutrophils, triggered by Concanavalin A, were cytotoxic against chicken red blood cell targets as determined by the 51Cr release method. The cytolysis increased with the effector: target ratio, reaching optimal levels when 2–4 neutrophils were available for each chicken red blood cell. The target cell lysis required an optimal release of highly reactive oxygen by-products by neutrophils, since neutrophils from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease failed to exhibit any cytolytic activity. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and inhibitors of heme-containing peroxidases (azide and cyanide) significantly inhibited the neutrophil-mediated cytotoxicity. Together these results indicate that superoxide anion and the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide system are simultaneously involved in the target cell injury by Concanavalin A-triggered neutrophils.