In vitro effect of methyl mercury on natural killer cells activity

ABSTRACT

The effect of in vitro treatment with methyl mercury on mouse natural killer [NK] cell activity and conjugate formation was studied. Lymphocytes preincubated with 10-6 M methyl mercury at room temperature for one hour showed significant suppression in NK activity and conjugate formation [38% and 40%, respectively] at effector target [E T] ratio of 25 1 compared with control lymphocytes. Complete inhibition of NK activity and conjugate formation [78% and 77%, respectively] at 25 1 ratio occurred when lymphocytes were preincubated with 10-3 M methyl mercury. The effect of methyl mercury may be attributed to the decrease in the percentage of conjugate formation between splenic NK cells and target tumor cells. It can be concluded that methyl mercury has a potential inhibitory effect on NK activity and this may lead to malignancy