Cytotoxic activity of mouse macrophages studied by various inhibitors.

The influence of various inhibitors on the cytolytic potential of mouse macrophages against syngeneic erythrocytes has been investigated in vitro by isotope techniques. Intact macrophage membrane and cell metabolism was essential for full cytotoxic activity. The process was completely blocked by anaerobiosis and cold. ATP from both mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis seems to be the high energy intermediate which is utilized during the cytotoxic activity of macrophages leading to target cell lysis. The process did not depend on concomitant DNA transcription, translation, or protein synthesis.