Cholinergic augmentation of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. A study of the cholinergic receptor of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Cholinergic agonists have previously been shown to augment the ability of sensitized lymphocytes to injure cells bearing the sensitizing alleantigens. The cholinergic receptor of the attacking lymphocyte population has been studied with pharmacological manipulation of an in vitro system that quantitates the injury mediated by sensitized attacking cells upon target cells. The data reveal that muscarinic ligands are several orders of magnitude more potent than nicotinic agents in altering cytotoxicity.