Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell activity against K 562 target cells was inhibited by pharmacological concentrations of chloroquine, mefloquine and quinine. The most potent were mefloquine and quinine. The drug-induced inhibition of the NK cell activity was abolished by addition of alpha-interferon (IF) or interleukin 2 (Il-2); preincubation of mononuclear cells with IF or Il-2 followed by addition of anti-malarial drugs decreased the inhibitory effects of the drugs. The drug-induced inhibition of the NK cell activity was not dependent on the presence of monocytes. Using monocyte depleted Percoll fractionated NK cell enriched populations in a single cell agarose assay, it was shown that the inhibitory effects of mefloquine, but not of chloroquine and quinine were due to an inhibition of the formation of effector/target cell conjugates.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| Pages (from-to) | 537-42 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| ISSN | 0105-4538 |
| Publication status | Published - 1986 |