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Tumoricidal alveolar macrophage and tumor infiltrating macrophage cell lines.

Continuous alveolar macrophage (AM) and tumor-infiltrated (TIM) cell lines have been generated from C57B16J mice by in vitro infection with the J2 retrovirus carrying the v-raf and v-myc oncogens. Four cloned AM cell lines (AMJ2-C8, AMJ2-C10, AMJ2-C11, AMJ2-C20) and 3 cloned TIM cell lines (TIMJ2-C4, TIMJ2-C7 and TIMJ2-C15) were expanded for further characterization. Flow cytometry detected the product of the raf gene in the cytoplasm of all these cell lines. Studies on the tumoricidal properties of these AM and TIM cell lines demonstrated differences in their response to a panel of known macrophage activators. Four of these cell lines (AMJ2-C8, AMJ2-C10, TIMJ2-C7 and TIMJ2-C15) were activated following exposure to recombinant murine interferon gamma (rMuIFN-gamma) but not lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or muramyl dipeptide (MDP). AMJ2-C20 was only activated by incubation with rMuIFN-gamma plus LPS. AMJ2-C11 and TIMJ2-C4 are the cell lines that most closely resembled the response pattern of the parental AM and TIM, since they could be activated by either the combination of rMuIFN-gamma plus LPS or rMuIFN-gamma plus MDP. Constitutive expression of MHC-class-II antigens was low on AMJ2-C11 or TIMJ2-C4 but was increased following exposure to rMuIFN-gamma. Neither cell line secreted substantial amounts of IL-1 or TNF but both secreted large amounts of IL-6. Thus these cell lines could be powerful tools to study AM and TIM activation and cytotoxicity.

Animals↗

Increase of macrophage colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptors in the regenerating rat facial nucleus.

Proliferation of microglial cells commonly occurs in the response of the central nervous system to injury, but little is known about how this process is regulated in vivo. Here we have studied the expression of receptors to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF) in the normal and regenerating rat facial motor nucleus using receptor immunocytochemistry and in situ ligand binding methods. Under normal conditions, immunocytochemical staining with anti-MCSF receptor (MCSFR) antibody revealed a moderate but selective labelling of microglia-like cells of the facial motor nucleus. This immunostaining also colocalized with MUC102, a new monoclonal antibody raised against microglial cells in the rat central nervous system. Axotomy of the facial nerve led to a rapid increase in MCSFR-staining intensity 1 day after injury, which became maximal 7 days postoperatively and then decreased. A similar but somewhat slower increase was also observed for the specific [125I]MCSF binding with a maximum at 7 days. Specific [125I]GMCSF binding also increased, peaking at 4 days postoperatively and then rapidly decreasing to normal levels at 21 days after axotomy. In summary, axotomy of the facial nerve led to a rapid increase in receptors for MCSF and GMCSF, which coincided with the pattern of microglial proliferation in the regenerating facial motor nucleus. This apparent up-regulation of receptors for microglial growth factors may play an important role in preparing the microglia to participate in the cellular response to injury in the regenerating central nervous system.

Animals↗

Effects of macrophage colony stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor on osteoclastic differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Although the hematopoietic origin of the osteoclast is generally accepted, the precise phenotype of the progenitor and the regulation of its differentiation are unclear. This study compares proliferation and differentiation of progenitors in response to macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Nonadherent progenitor cells from murine long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC) (as a source of osteoclast progenitors) demonstrated a significant proliferative response to M-CSF. In addition, M-CSF increased the number of multinucleated cells, only a small percent of which (14-16%) were tartrate-resistant, acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive. In contrast, cells cultured with GM-CSF generated more TRAP-positive multinucleated cells even at concentrations less stimulatory of proliferation than M-CSF. The osteoclast phenotype of these multinucleated cells was also assessed by ultrastructural characterization of ruffled borders in association with bone fragments. The bone-active hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibited the proliferation of this subset of progenitor cells in the presence of M-CSF or GM-CSF. All of these results show effects on progenitors in the absence of the stromal cell microenvironment in this system. These results provide evidence for a divergence in the biological responsiveness of osteoclast progenitor cells to M-CSF compared with GM-CSF; they support the notion that M-CSF has a "priming" effect on osteoclast progenitors whose subsequent differentiation to osteoclastic multinucleated cells is promoted by GM-CSF.

Animals↗

Regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels by LPS, INF-gamma, TGF-beta, and IL-10 in murine macrophage cell lines and rat peritoneal macrophages.

The molecular mechanisms of LPS, INF-gamma, TGF-beta, and IL-10 regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression were evaluated. In murine macrophage cell lines, LPS-induced increases in iNOS mRNA were blocked by either cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Neither TGF-beta nor IL-10 alone had any effect on basal expression, and each only slightly reduced LPS induction of iNOS mRNA. However, IL-10 augmented INF-gamma induction of iNOS mRNA to very high levels, while TGF-beta inhibited INF-gamma induction. Human monocytes expressed no detectable iNOS mRNA with any stimuli, though Southern analysis on human genomic DNA revealed a specific human iNOS gene. In human macrophages, the iNOS gene may have become inoperative during evolution.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Molecular cloning and posttranscriptional regulation of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha in alveolar macrophages.

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) belongs to the "chemokine" superfamily of chemoattractant pro-inflammatory cytokines. MIP-1 alpha is chemotactic for monocytes and neutrophils and thus, plays an important role in initiation and control of inflammation. We have isolated and sequenced a cDNA clone encoding rat MIP-1 alpha. This 0.75 kb cDNA includes a single open reading frame of 92 amino acids. Expression of MIP-1 alpha mRNA was characterized in NR8383, a rat alveolar macrophage cell line (RAM). In resting RAM cells, MIP-1 alpha mRNA decayed rapidly, with a half life of less than 2 hours. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment of RAM cells resulted in a dose-dependent increase in MIP-1 alpha steady state mRNA expression. The induction of MIP-1 alpha mRNA by LPS was partially the result of mRNA stabilization, as half life increased to over 6 hours.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tumor growth alters T cell and macrophage production of and responsiveness to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor: partial dysregulation through interleukin-10.

Tumor growth induces phenotypic and functional changes among splenic T cells and macrophages (M phi) that contribute to the immunosuppression observed in tumor-bearing hosts (TBH). These changes partly arise through alterations in immune cell production of and responsiveness to cytokines. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is an important T cell- and M phi-derived cytokine that is produced during normal host immunogenic challenge, but it's involvement during cancer is poorly defined. In contrast, interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an inhibitory cytokine that is produced by immune cells as a deactivation factor. IL-10 can disrupt GM-CSF synthesis and may be associated with tumor-induced changes in cytokine synthesis. We determined if tumor growth alters T-cell and M phi synthesis of and responsiveness to GM-CSF, and if these alterations occur because tumor growth heightens immune cell sensitivity to IL-10. Tumor growth significantly decreased T-cell synthesis of GM-CSF during activation by concanavalin A, and TBH T cells were more susceptible to GM-CSF synthesis inhibition by IL-10 than their normal host (NH) counterparts. This suppression was observed using both unseparated splenic lymphocyte preparations and purified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Similarly, TBH M phi (both splenic and peritoneal) produced less GM-CSF than NH M phi during activation by lipopolysaccharide. Tumor growth also altered major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II- M phi GM-CSF synthesis. TBH M phi were more susceptible to GM-CSF synthesis inhibition by IL-10 than their NH counterparts. Although TBH T cells demonstrate less proliferation than NH T cells during activation, tumor growth did not compromise T-cell responsiveness to GM-CSF. However, tumor growth did increase TBH T-cell susceptibility to inhibition of proliferation by IL-10. Tumor growth suppressed M phi responsiveness to GM-CSF, and IL-10 further decreased M phi responsiveness to GM-CSF. Collectively, these results suggest that T cell and M phi production of and responsiveness to GM-CSF is disrupted during tumor growth, and that TBH T cells and M phi are more susceptible to the suppressor activity of IL-10 than their NH counterparts.

Animals↗

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) induction of enhanced anticryptococcal activity in human monocyte-derived macrophages: synergy with fluconazole for killing.

Induction of enhanced anticryptococcal activity in human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMM) by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and possible synergy with fluconazole (FCZ) for killing of Cryptococcus neoformans (CN) was studied. Fungistasis by HMM cultured in medium for 3, 5, or 7 days was minimal, 0-17%. The fungistasis of HMM cocultured with M-CSF at 1000, 5000, or 20,000 U/ml for 3, 5, or 7 days was increased significantly (P < 0.02) at all study times and by all concentrations. The optimal M-CSF concentration for HMM treatment for enhanced fungistasis was 5000 U/ml for Day 3 (84%), whereas 1000 U/ml was sufficient with more prolonged HMM culture and M-CSF treatment (Days 5-7). The enhancement by M-CSF was seen with four different donors and three patient isolates of CN. FCZ at 5 micrograms/ml was fungicidal, 28 +/- 17% (n = 8). Killing by FCZ was enhanced by HMM treated with M-CSF 5000 or 20,000 U/ml for 5 days compared to control HMM, 58% (P = 0.001) and 60% (P = 0.002) vs 48%, respectively. This was also seen with HMM cultured with 1000 U/ml M-CSF for 7 days (P < 0.05). M-CSF also induced in HMM enhancement of fungistasis by lower, fungistatic, concentrations of FCZ. These results demonstrate enhancement of anticryptococcal activity by HMM treated with M-CSF and synergy with FCZ for inhibition and killing. These findings may provide a rationale for combined treatment of FCZ and M-CSF against cryptococcosis.

Cells, Cultured↗

The receptor-mediated uptake, survival, replication, and drug sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis within the macrophage-like cell line THP-1: a comparison with human monocyte-derived macrophages.

We have compared the interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with the human macrophage-like cell line THP-1 and with human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). The association of M. tuberculosis with THP-1 and MDM was comparable in both the presence and the absence of serum. For both cells, serum-mediated binding was much greater than nonopsonic binding and was mediated by a heat-labile serum component. Nonopsonic binding of M. tuberculosis to both cells could be inhibited by antibodies recognizing CD11b and by mannan and glucan. Intracellular M. tuberculosis grew progressively in infected MDM and THP-1 cells. Treatment of the infected MDM and THP-1 cells with the anti-mycobacterial isoniazid resulted in the rapid killing of the intracellular mycobacteria. Differentiated, adherent THP-1 cells bound IgG and complement-coated particles at levels similar to those of MDM. However, binding of zymosan by THP-1 cells was significantly lower than that seen for MDM.

Adult↗

Ontogeny of rat pulmonary alveolar macrophage function: evidence for a selective deficiency in il-10 and nitric oxide production by newborn alveolar macrophages.

Alveolar macrophages (AM) play a crucial role in host defence by secretion of a large repertoire of biological response modifiers (BRM) following challenge. Newborns manifest increased susceptibility to lung infections, suggesting a deficiency in AM-mediated host defence. Thus, we investigated the ontogeny of BRM production by resting and stimulated AM. We analysed the capacity of rat AM to produce mRNA specific for a range of cytokines including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, and the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase, in response to in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. We report that production of nitric oxide by newborn AM under conditions of maximal stimulation was impaired. In addition, expression of IL-10 was only minimally upregulated in AM from newborns in response to LPS compared to adults. Inability to upregulate expression of IL-10 appeared to be influenced by microenvironmental factors, since peritoneal macrophages from newborns responded to LPS with significant upregulation of IL-10. Furthermore, when newborn AM were precultured in vitro, IL-10 responsiveness to LPS was partially restored. In contrast, cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, IL-12 and IL-18 appeared to be expressed at adult levels by newborn AM. These results demonstrate that there may be functional differences in AM of newborns compared to adults, and these may be specific to the tissue compartment.

Age Factors↗

Antibody-independent phagocytosis of tumor cells by human monocyte-derived macrophages cultured in recombinant macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Human monocytes exposed in vitro to recombinant macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (rhMCSF) differentiate into monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), which mediate efficient antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) against tumor cells. We and others have shown that this form of ADCC is unusual in that phagocytosis, rather than extracellular lysis, appears to play the major role in target cell killing. In this study, we asked whether the phagocytic form of cytotoxicity seen with ADCC could occur in the absence of an opsonizing antibody. We now report that, whereas cell lines derived from solid tumors are often resistant to antibody-independent cytotoxicity, malignant cells of lymphoid origin appear particularly susceptible to such antibody-independent killing. We found that all of nine lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma cell lines tested in a total of 35 experiments, plus all four samples of fresh leukemic blasts, were consistently susceptible to antibody-independent MDM cytotoxicity. Antibody-independent cytotoxicity against these cells was efficient (40%-63% killing) at effector: target (E:T) ratios as low as 2:1. Like ADCC, antibody-independent cytotoxicity involved phagocytosis of target cells, as demonstrated by ingestion of fluorescently labeled targets and analysis by flow cytometry. At the time of phagocytosis, the majority of target cells retained membrane integrity, as indicated by the direct transfer of intracellular [51Cr]chromate from radiolabeled targets to phagocytosing MDM, without release of the label into the medium. However, in contrast to ADCC, we found that the degree of antibody-independent cytotoxicity was not a function of the E:T ratio. Instead, a constant proportion of the available target cells were killed regardless of the E:T ratio, suggesting that target cell recognition, rather than effector cell potency, might be the limiting factor in determining cytotoxicity. In additional experiments, we have also identified a second tumor cell type, nueroblastoma, as being susceptible to antibody-independent phagocytosis (all of five cell lines tested, cytotoxicity 40%-93%, E:T = 3:1). Our data thus indicate that the cytotoxicity induced by rhMCSF is not confined to antibody-mediated killing, and that phagocytosis can play a significant role in target cell destruction even in the absence of opsonizing antibody.

Humans↗

Cotton smoke inhalation primes alveolar macrophages for tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and suppresses macrophage antimicrobial activities.

The present study determined the effects of cotton smoke inhalation on the functioning of alveolar macrophages (mphi). Smoke inhalation led to dose-dependent impairment of respiratory gas exchange by 48 h postexposure and pulmonary edema by 96 h. Maximal effects were observed in animals ventilated with 54 breaths of cotton smoke (3-min exposure, 18 breaths/min). Macrophages were obtained at 48 h postexposure by bronchoalveolar lavage of rabbits subjected to 54 breaths of smoke or room air (control). Phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria and adherence to solid substratum were reduced in smoke-exposed mphi. Smoke inhalation primed mphi for release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Smoke-exposed mphi were also primed for TNF-alpha release induced by phorbol myristate acetate, which suggests that the priming event occurred downstream of protein kinase C activation in the signal transduction pathway. Further, smoke exposure attenuated the inhibitory effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on LPS-induced TNF-alpha release. Thus, the priming event may be mediated through cAMP and/or protein kinase A. The data indicate that cotton smoke inhalation suppresses the antimicrobial activities of alveolar mphi and can lead to excessive mphi production of TNF-alpha. These mphi effects would be expected to contribute to the pathophysiological abnormalities associated with smoke inhalation injury.

Acute Disease↗

Macrophage activation by interferon alpha + beta is associated with a loss of proliferative capacity: role of interferon alpha + beta in the regulation of macrophage proliferation and function.

Murine peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) can be induced by colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) to undergo extensive proliferation and colony formation in vitro. In the presence of interferon alpha + beta (IFN alpha + beta) the proliferative capacity of PEM was greatly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. The antiproliferative activity of IFN alpha + beta appears to be noncytocidal and reversible at low concentrations. At higher concentrations, exposure to IFN alpha + beta was sufficient to cause growth inhibition in PEM. Tissue-derived PEM were at least 25-fold more sensitive than bone marrow GM-CFC to the antiproliferative activity of IFN alpha + beta. The fact that bone marrow-derived adherent cells also exhibited a higher degree of sensitivity than the less differentiated nonadherent counterparts suggests that the primary targets of IFN alpha + beta are cells derived from a later stage of development. Concomitantly with the loss of proliferative activity, both the tumoricidal and Fc receptor-mediated phagocytic activities in IFN alpha + beta treated PEM were greatly enhanced. These effects could be completely neutralized by the addition of anti-IFN alpha + beta immunoglobulin, indicating that they are mediated by the same molecule. This remarkable dichotomy in the actions of IFN alpha + beta (stimulates functional activities but suppresses proliferative capacity) suggests that IFN alpha + beta may play a role in the regulation of macrophage production and function.

Animals↗

Cytokine activation of antibacterial activity in human pulmonary macrophages: comparison of recombinant interferon-gamma and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

We examined the ability of two recombinant human cytokines, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rHu-GM-CSF) and interferon-gamma (rHu-IFN-gamma) to activate antibacterial mechanisms in human pulmonary macrophages (PM) and peripheral blood monocytes (PBM). Growth of Legionella pneumophila (LP) was assessed in PM or PBM which had been exposed to either rHu-IFN-gamma (500-1000 u/ml) or rHu-GM-CSF (1 to 10,000 u/ml). In both PM and PBM exposed to 500 u/ml rHu-IFN-gamma, growth of LP was reduced compared to cells exposed to media alone. By comparison, exposure of these cell types to rHu-GM-CSF had no detectable effect on bacterial replication. In order to investigate potential mechanisms accounting for this observation, the effect of these cytokines on the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-releasing capacity of cells was studied. Exposure of PM and PBM to rHu-IFN-gamma (500 to 1000 u/ml) resulted in increased production of H2O2 triggered by phorbol myristate acetate; when subjected to the same experimental conditions, rHu-GM-CSF-exposed cells exhibited no increase in H2O2 production. To further clarify the role of rHu-IFN-gamma-induced augmentation of oxidative metabolism on cellular inhibition of bacterial growth, an amount of catalase capable of completely neutralizing extracellular H2O2 was added to cells before and during infection. This did not abrogate the antibacterial activity of rHu-IFN-gamma. These studies demonstrate that rHu-IFN-gamma but not rHu-GM-CSF is capable of augmenting the capacity of PM and PBM to restrict LP growth. These data suggest that the antibacterial activity of rHu-IFN-gamma in this system may involve oxidative as well as nonoxidative mechanisms.

Bacteria↗

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor enhances macrophage accessory function in con A-stimulated T-cell proliferation.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been reported to augment various macrophage (M phi) functions, including antigen presentation in the antibody-producing response. We investigated the augmentative effect of GM-CSF on M phi A-cell activity in concanavalin A-stimulated T-cell proliferation. Pretreatment with GM-CSF of peritoneal M phi enhanced the T-cell proliferative response. This effect of GM-CSF was dose dependent and GM-CSF supplementation was needed at the beginning of M phi culture. We observed that GM-CSF induced M phi spreading and firm attachment accompanied with enlargement of the cytoplasm, but could not induce de novo expression of Ia antigen. GM-CSF treatment enabled M phi to produce more interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharides or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, but was unable to stimulate M phi directly. This was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. These results indicate that GM-CSF augments M phi A-cell activity through the enhancement of the capacity of M phi to produce IL-1 and IL-6.

Animals↗

Cytokine regulation of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and macrophage colony-stimulating factor production in human arterial smooth muscle cells.

Smooth muscle cells (SMC) are the major cell type found in the walls of large blood vessels and appear to participate in local immune and inflammatory reactions, as well as in certain vascular diseases. We tested whether human arterial SMC can produce in vitro the colony stimulating factors (CSFs), granulocyte macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) and macrophage CSF (M-CSF). Untreated internal mammary artery and aortic SMC produced no detectable GM-CSF but constitutively made M-CSF, measured by ELISA and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and, to a lesser extent, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) stimulated GM-CSF formation within 3 h; mRNA levels also increased particularly in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide. IL-1, TNF alpha and, in addition, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) raised the M-CSF levels within 6 h; cycloheximide potentiated the effects of IL-1 and TNF alpha on mRNA levels. These results suggest that cytokine-stimulated human arterial SMC may be a source of the M-CSF found in atherosclerotic lesions. Since monocytes/macrophages can be activated by GM-CSF and M-CSF, while GM-CSF can also affect granulocyte function, SMC may participate in inflammatory reactions and vascular diseases by releasing these cytokines.

Aorta↗

Macrophage function in the acute phase of lactic dehydrogenase virus-infection of mice: suppression of superoxide anion production in normal mouse peritoneal macrophages by interferon-alpha in vitro.

The effect of interferon (IFN)-alpha on the release of superoxide anions (O2-) by normal mouse macrophages (PEM) was examined. Sera from LDV-infected mice at 1 day, but not at 7 days post-infection, suppressed the O2- release by PEM. When PEM were exposed in vitro for 24 h to IFN-alpha, their capacity to release O2- was significantly suppressed. Progressive suppression of O2- release with increasing IFN-alpha concentration was observed. These results suggest that IFN-alpha in the circulation may be one of several suppressive factors on macrophage function in the early phase of infection and IFN-alpha may play a modulatory role in inflammation and immunity.

Animals↗

Effects of human interleukin 3, macrophage and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on monocyte function following autologous bone marrow transplantation.

The effects of human interleukin 3 (IL-3), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were studied on the functional activity of human peripheral blood monocytes from healthy individuals and from eight patients at 4, 8 and 12 weeks following autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). Functions studied included superoxide production, phagocytosis of Candida albicans and reduction of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2.5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT). IL-3 and GM-CSF significantly enhanced the oxidative metabolism of monocytes from healthy individuals, while the effect of M-CSF was moderate. A considerable variability between healthy individuals was found in both resting and cytokine-stimulated monocytes with regard to superoxide production. All three investigated CSFs, i.e. IL-3, M-CSF and GM-CSF did not affect phagocytosis of C. albicans by the cells or their metabolic activity (reduction of MTT). In ABMT patients no deficit in the functional activity of monocytes was found at any time after transplantation and all three CSFs investigated did not modulate the functional activity of the cells. These results suggest that monocytes do not have a major role in infectious complications post-ABMT.

Adolescent↗

Effect of temperature on macrophage activation and the production of macrophage activating factor by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) leucocytes.

Production of macrophage activating factor (MAF) by rainbow trout leucocytes has been shown to be temperature dependent in vivo and in vitro. Cells from fish held at 14 degrees C and stimulated to produce MAF immediately after isolation were capable of secreting MAF down to 6 degrees C (the lowest temperature tested). However, after 48 h at 6 degrees C, these leucocytes show impaired MAF secretion. Acclimation of fish to low temperatures (7 degrees C) did not recover the inhibitory effects of low in vitro temperatures on MAF production, but if these leucocytes were preincubated at 10 or 18 degrees C for 48 h, MAF was produced from these cells. Interestingly, macrophages isolated from fish kept at 7 or 14 degrees C and cultured at low temperatures (6 degrees C) were responsive to MAF-containing supernatants, and showed a higher relative increase in respiratory burst activity compared with their counterparts cultured at 10 and 18 degrees C. Such observations clearly demonstrate that a major impairment of bactericidal activity at low temperatures resides within the specific immune compartment of fish. The implications for fish health are discussed.

Acclimatization↗