Fcγ RII (CDw32) on monocytes is capable of triggering both phagocytosis and lysis of chick red blood cells (CRBC) coated with antibody of the appropriate isotype. In this report we describe the production and characterization of a mouse monoclonal IgG1 antibody specific for Fcγ RII and compare its activity in binding studies, tissue distribution and redirected cellular cytotoxicity (RCC), with the previously identified anti-Feγ RII antibodies KB61 and IV.3. Immunohistochemical and flow cytometry analyses demonstrated that AT 10 binds very strongly to Fcγ RII on normal monocytes, but only weakly to that expressed on lymphocytes. This pattern does not correspond to the staining seen with either KB61 or IV.3, and appears to give an intermediate profile. The binding constant (Ka) for the Fab′ fragment of AT10 was calculated at 5.3 × 10⁸ M⁻¹, four times higher than that for KB61 (1.4 × 10⁸ M⁻¹).

Bispecific F(ab′)₂ antibodies were constructed from Fab' fragments of AT 10 or KB61 thioether-linked to Fab' from an anti-CRBC monoclonal antibody. These bispecific derivatives directed monocyte cytotoxicity against CRBC as efficiently as either a monoclonal or polyclonal anti-chick erythrocyte antibody. The bispecific F(ab′)₂ antibodies had a distinct advantage over the conventional reagents, in that they were not blocked in the presence of human Fcγ at 3.5 mg/ml (a concentration comparable with that provided by IgG in serum). Therefore, bispecific derivatives constructed with the high affinity anti-Fcγ RII antibody, AT 10, may be used as therapeutic reagents for targeting tumour cell lysis in vivo.