Fcγ receptors (FcγR) are critical mediators of monoclonal antibody cancer therapies, as they drive cytotoxic processes upon binding of effector cells to opsonized targets. Along with natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes are also known to destroy antibody-coated targets via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). However, the precise mechanisms by which monocytes carry out this function have remained elusive. Here, we show that human monocytes produce the protease Granzyme B upon both FcγR and Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 8 activation. Treatment with TLR8 agonists elicited Granzyme B and also enhanced FcγR-mediated Granzyme B production in an additive fashion. Furthermore, monocyte-mediated ADCC against cetuximab-coated tumor targets was enhanced by TLR8 agonist treatment, and this enhancement of ADCC required Granzyme B. Hence, we have identified Granzyme B as an important mediator of FcγR function in human monocytes and have uncovered another mechanism by which TLR8 agonists may enhance FcγR-based therapies.
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