Mouse granulated metrial gland cell cytotoxicity of Wehi 164 cells: Is there a role for interleukin-3 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha?

PROBLEM: Mouse granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells are maternal, cytotoxic cells found in the uterine wall in pregnancy. In vivo, they are cytotoxic to layer 1 labyrinthine placental cells. In an in vitro system, granulated metrial gland cells are highly cytotoxic to Wehi 164 fibrosarcoma cells. In this study the role of interleukin (IL)-3 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) -alpha in granulated metrial gland cell cytotoxic activity was investigated . METHOD OF STUDY: Chromium-release cytotoxicity assays using mouse metrial g land effector cells and Wehi 164 target cells with the addition of IL-3 or an antibody to TNF-alpha. RESULTS: An antibody to TNF-alpha reduced the level of cytotoxic activity. IL-3 had no effect on the level of cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Mouse granulated metrial gland cells kill using a TNF-a mediate d mechanism which is independent of IL-3 stimulation.