The analysis of measurements of murine natural killer cell activity

Several methods of analysing murine NK response measurements have been compared in order to select a quantitative objective measure of NK activity. The fitting of data from 51chromium release experiments to the formula y = A(1−e − kx ) (termed the ‘ k-method’ and shown by Pross et al. (J. Clin. Immunol. (1981) 1, 51) to be beneficial in analysing human NK response) has been particularly evaluated. Computer simulated curves as well as experimental NK dose response curves were analysed testing data in which a plateau level of chromium release had not been reached. Results obtained by the ‘ k-method’ were very dependent on both the portion of the curve used for the analysis and on small deviations of the data from the theoretical form of the equation. In the analysis of murine NK response the ‘ k-method’ has no clear advantage over other methods.