Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

**Semantic type:** Cell Function

**Definition:** The target killing of a cell depending on antibody recognition. An antibody is directed to the target by antigen-binding arms and anchors to the killer cell by an Fc receptor. The identity of the target cell varies, but it must possess surface IgG whose Fc portion is intact. The effector "killer" cell possesses 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.

**Synonyms:** - ADCC - ADCC - Antibody-Mediated Lympholysis - antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity - antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity