Influence of Vindesine on the Lytic Phase of Mouse Natural Cytotoxicity Against Human Leukemic Cells

Abstract

Vindesine (VDS), a structural analogue of Vinca Alkaloids, was found to increase the NK-mediated cytolytic effects of mouse lymphocytes against human K562 target cells in a 18-hr assay. Pretreatment of effector or target cells with the drug did not affect substantially the NK reaction. The phenomenon has been detected using splenocytes of either congenitally a-thymic or conventional euthymic mice of different strains. Effector lymphocytes deprived of cells adherent to plastic surface or to nylon-wool column were still competent for drug-mediated increase of NK function. It is suggested that modification of the membrane make-up of effector or target cells re-versibly induced by VDS, would promote higher NK-mediated cytolytic effects.