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Antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity

The phenomenon of antibody-mediated target cell destruction by non-sensitised effector cells. The identity of the target cell varies, but it must possess surface igg whose fc portion is intact. The effector cell is a killer cell possessing fc receptors. It may be a lymphocyte lacking conventional b- or T-cell markers, or a monocyte, macrophage, or polynuclear leukocyte, depending on the identity of the target cell. The reaction is complement-independent.