Inhibition of antibody-dependent eosinophil-mediated cytotoxicity by heparin
Kierszenbaum, F.; Ackerman, S.J.; Gleich, G.J.
Journal of Immunology 128(1): 515-517
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 6798115 Document Number: 192266
Killing of bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, the unicellular parasite that causes Chagas' disease in humans, by human eosinophils in the presence of specific antibody to the parasite was inhibited by the polyanion heparin in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration of heparin required to completely abolish eosinophil-effected killing of the flagellate increased as the eosinophil to parasite ratio increased. These results suggest that antibody-dependent eosinophil-mediated cytotoxicity is mediated by basic constituents of the eosinophil granule.