Development of a monocyte microassay to measure Fc-dependent clearance of erythrocytes

Drugs which modulate the immune system have been used therapeutically to benefit a variety of populations. Vaccines which impart active immunity against bacteria and viruses have markedly altered the spread of communicable diseases. Corticosteroids produce immunosuppressive effects which have been extensively utilized to treat disorders of aberrant immunity and have proved effective in altering the inflammatory process in autoimmune diseases. Cytotoxic agents, such as azathiorpine and cyclophosphamide, were originally developed for their anticancer effects but have been widely used for the immunosupressive activity in transplantation rejection reactions and in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this project was to reproduce a monocyte microassay to study Fc-dependent clearance of antibody-coated erythocytes. Once validated, this microassay could be used to study the mechanism by which methldopa and other drugs may alter Fc-dependant clearance. An adaptation of the microassay described by Fleer and colleagues was utilized.