Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “MONOCYTES”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,099 records · Page 61Linked to original sources

Endotoxin enhances the expression of monocyte prothrombinase activity.

Thrombin is generated on the surface of mononuclear cells (MNCs) through the assembly and function of the prothrombinase complex consisting of the enzyme factor Xa, the cofactor/factor Va, calcium ions, and an appropriate membrane surface for proper assembly of the protein constituents. Assays performed in the presence of factors Va and Xa indicated that endotoxin significantly enhanced the prothrombinase activity (1.5- to 2.5-fold; P less than .001) expressed by MNCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Monocytes present in the MNC suspensions were responsible for this increased activity through processes resulting in both enhanced cellular activity and the enhanced release of membranous vesicles. Endotoxin was without effect on the expression of lymphocyte prothrombinase activity. Scanning electron microscopy techniques indicated that endotoxin resulted in extensive membrane blebbing of the monocytes present in the MNC suspensions with no effect on the morphology of the lymphocytes. Within 5 hours, endotoxin maximally enhanced the prothrombinase activity expressed by the monocyte membrane surface 2.8-fold, whereas 8 hours was required to maximally enhance the activity associated with the released vesicles by twofold. The observed increase in activity expressed by the monocyte membrane surface was due solely to endotoxin, since the activity expressed by the unstimulated monocyte membrane surface remained unaltered over time. In contrast, cell vesiculation, which occurred in the absence of any stimulus, was further enhanced by endotoxin. The increase in activity associated with the released vesicles from both stimulated and unstimulated cells paralleled an increase in the vesicle number as determined by flow cytometric analyses. The vesicle released from both unstimulated and stimulated monocytes were indistinguishable in size as determined by image analysis and ranged between 0.05 and 0.3 microns in diameter. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) significantly enhanced the prothrombinase activity expressed by the monocyte membrane surface, as well as the released vesicle fraction, when used alone or in addition to endotoxin. The enhanced activity associated with the vesicle fraction again was attributed to the release of more vesicles. In contrast, cycloheximide decreased the prothrombinase activity expressed by the monocyte membrane surface, as well as the activity associated with vesicles released from both stimulated and unstimulated cells. These data suggest that the expression of monocyte prothrombinase activity can be significantly enhanced by endotoxin through processes that alter the monocyte membrane surface and augment the vesiculation process. Both processes appear to be regulated by protein synthesis and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent mechanisms.

Blood Proteins↗

Role of monocyte fucose-receptors in T-cell fibronectin activity.

T-cell fibronectin (FN) is a lymphokine produced by antigen- and mitogen-activated T cells that agglutinates human monocytes at femtomolar concentrations. This extreme degree of activity derives from co-operative interactions between multiple FN domains and multiple monocyte integrin protein receptors. T-cell FN, like other FN, is a glycoprotein. The role interactions between T-cell FN carbohydrate and lectin-like monocyte surface receptors play in mediating T-cell FN activity was studied by determining the ability of monosaccharides to inhibit T-cell FN activity. L-Fucose and L-rhamnose significantly inhibited T-cell FN-mediated monocyte agglutination at concentrations as low as 0.01 mM; D-glucose, D- or L-galactose, D- or L-mannose and D-fucose were not inhibitory at 10-100 mM. This inhibition appeared to be due to interference with the binding of T-cell FN fucose residues to monocyte fucose receptors since: (i) treatment of T-cell FN with alpha-L-fucosidase abolished its agglutinating activity for human monocytes, while treatment with beta-D-galactosidase or with alpha-L-fucosidase in the presence of L-fucose had no effect; (ii) treatment of monocytes with alpha-L-fucosidase did not affect their response to T-cell FN; and (iii) L-fucose or L-rhamnose did not alter the expression of monocyte integrin FN receptors under conditions where T-cell FN-mediated monocyte agglutination was completely inhibited. In vivo, 1 mumol intracutaneous L-fucose inhibited expression of delayed hypersensitivity by 30% (P much less than 0.001); similar doses of L-rhamnose inhibited responses by 10% (P less than 0.02). These data implicate a fucose receptor in monocyte response to T-cell FN, and suggest that T-cell FN is only one of the mediators involved in initiating delayed hypersensitivity reactions in vivo.

Cell Aggregation↗

IL-1 receptor antagonist and IL-1 beta production in human monocytes are regulated differently.

Human monocytes may synthesize simultaneously both the agonist IL-1 beta and a specific receptor antagonist of IL-1 (IL-1ra). These studies examined whether monocyte production of these two structurally related cytokines was regulated differently. IL-1ra and IL-1 beta protein levels in cell supernatants and lysates were measured with specific ELISA. Relative steady-state mRNA levels, relative transcriptional rates as determined by the nuclear run-on technique, and mRNA stability were all assessed using specific cDNA probes. Monocytes were stimulated with LPS alone, adherent IgG, or both LPS and adherent IgG. Monocytes stimulated with LPS produced near equivalent amounts of IL-1ra and IL-1 beta proteins over 22 h; relative steady-state mRNA levels paralleled the protein levels. In addition, LPS-induced monocytes exhibited enhanced rates of transcription for both IL-1ra and IL-1 beta, in comparison to adherent control cells without LPS. mRNA half-lives in LPS-induced monocytes also were similar for IL-1ra and IL-1 beta. Monocytes cultured on adherent IgG exhibited a low level of IL-1 beta transcription with an absence of protein production. In contrast, adherent IgG led to a high and prolonged rate of IL-1ra protein production. Furthermore, monocytes cultured on adherent IgG exhibited a specific induction of IL-1ra transcription and a marked prolongation in IL-1ra mRNA stability. However, LPS in a high concentration, 1 microgram/ml, reversed the IgG induction of IL-1ra production by decreasing both transcriptional rate and mRNA stability. These results indicate that production of IL-1ra by human monocytes is characterized by different patterns of regulation in comparison with IL-1 beta. LPS induces production of both proteins whereas adherent IgG stimulates only IL-1ra production. The effects of IgG and LPS on induction of IL-1ra production in human monocytes are mediated at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.

Humans↗

Complement and monocytes are essential for provoking glomerular injury in passive Heymann nephritis in rats. Terminal complement components are not the sole mediators of proteinuria.

Complement but not polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) causes glomerular injury in passive Heymann nephritis in rats. We have now identified monocytes as another important mediator in this model. Passive Heymann nephritis was induced in Wistar rats by intravenous injection of sheep anti-rat Fx1A antiserum. Four groups (all receiving anti-rat Fx1A antiserum) were studied: (a) rats given normal sheep globulin (nephritic controls), (b) rats given sheep anti-rat PMN globulin (PMN-depleted), (c) rats given sheep anti-rat monocyte globulin (monocyte-depleted), (d) rats injected with cobra venom factor (complement-depleted). In vitro specificity controls for anti-cell antisera were made by cytotoxicity tests and inhibition of phagocytosis. In vivo specificity controls were performed in heterologous Masugi nephritis (PMN-dependent) and accelerated Masugi nephritis (monocyte-dependent). Complement and monocyte depletion significantly delayed the onset of proteinuria (p less than 0.001 versus nephritic controls on day 5), PMN depletion had no significant effect. Monocyte infiltration was seen in control nephritic rats, but monocyte depletion prevented this influx. In the monocyte-depleted group, no differences in glomerular deposition of C3, C9, and C5b-9 were seen in comparison to the nephritic control rats. Serum C3 levels were comparable in groups a, b, and c, the complement system was biologically active in the monocyte depleted-group (c), and the amount of anti-Fx1A antibody bound was the same in all groups. This shows that, besides complement, monocytes are required for induction of renal damage in passive Heymann nephritis. The concept of a sole role for complement in glomerular immune injury involving subepithelial immune deposits should be reconsidered.

Animals↗

Differential regulation of human monocyte programmed cell death (apoptosis) by chemotactic factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

In the absence of appropriate stimuli, monocytes undergo programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis. IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha prevent monocyte PCD, which suggests that viability may be regulated by biologically active peptides released during inflammation. To explore this possibility, we evaluated several chemotactic factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines for their ability to regulate PCD. The recruitment factors, FMLP, C fragment C5a, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, or transforming growth factor-beta 1, were incapable of rescuing monocytes from PCD nor did they enhance PCD, whereas several inflammatory cytokines in addition to IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, including granulocyte-monocyte-CSF and IFN-gamma, prevented monocyte PCD provided that sufficient levels of these cytokines were continuously maintained in the cultures. Cytokine-mediated inhibition of PCD could be blocked by specific antisera, ruling out potential effects caused by LPS contamination. When tested at equivalent concentrations, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 had no effect on PCD indicating selectivity in cytokine modulation of monocyte PCD. Because monocytes produce IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and granulocyte-monocyte CSF when activated, the data suggest autocrine as well as paracrine control of cell survival and accumulation. The results also suggest that monocytes recruited to a site of inflammation will undergo PCD in the absence of specific cytokines and/or other stimuli that block this process.

Cell Death↗

Augmentation of monocyte chemotaxis by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Stimulation of defective migration of AIDS patients.

Preincubation for 20 h with 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) markedly augmented the chemotactic responsiveness of human blood monocytes to the classical chemoattractant, FMLP. A modest enhancement of monocyte spontaneous locomotion in the absence of chemoattractants was also observed. Maximal increase of monocyte migration was observed after pretreatment with 10(-9) M 1,25(OH)2D3 and was detectable at FMLP concentrations ranging from 10(-10) to 10(-7) M. Pretreatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 augmented the number of monocyte high affinity FMLP receptors (1500 +/- 220 and 3800 +/- 300 sites per cell for untreated and 1,25(OH)2D3-pretreated cells, respectively) with no significant changes in Kd values (2 +/- 0.5 nM and 4 +/- 1 nM, for untreated and 1,25(OH)2D3-pretreated monocytes). Enhanced chemotaxis was not restricted to FMLP, because 1,25(OH)2D3-treated monocytes showed enhanced migration also in response to activated C components and chemotactic cytokines. In agreement with previous observations, monocytes from AIDS patients showed defective migration capacity. In vitro exposure to 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulated monocyte migration in all 10 patients examined with considerable quantitative differences among individuals. Regulating the responsiveness of mature monocytes to chemo-attractants, 1,25(OH)2D3, produced systemically or in situ by immunocompetent cells, could play a role in the regulation of the recruitment of monocytes at sites of inflammation, cell-mediated immunity, or bone resorption. The potential of 1,25(OH)2D3 as a restorative agent under conditions of defective phagocyte recruitment deserves further exploration.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The incubation of human blood monocytes with tumor necrosis factor-alpha leads to lysis of tumor necrosis factor-sensitive but not resistant tumor cells.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the incubation of human blood monocytes with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induces tumoricidal activity. Peripheral blood monocytes isolated by centrifugal elutriation from buffy coats of healthy donors were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipopeptide derived from Escherichia coli (CGP-31362), recombinant human interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) plus muramyl dipeptide (MDP) or recombinant human TNF for 24 hr. The human melanoma A375-M (highly sensitive to TNF), A375-P (moderately sensitive to TNF), and A375-R (resistant to TNF) cells were all lysed in vitro by monocytes activated with LPS, CGP-31362, or MDP plus rIFN-gamma. On the other hand, A375-M, but not A375-P or A375-R cells, were lysed by human monocytes incubated with rTNF. After incubation with rTNF, paraformaldehyde-fixed monocytes lysed A375-M cells. Monocytes incubated with LPS, CGP-31362, and MDP plus rIFN-gamma secreted a high level of IL-1 activity into the culture medium, but monocytes incubated with rTNF did not. The cytolytic activities of monocytes incubated with LPS, CGP-31362, and MDP plus rIFN-gamma were not affected by the presence of anti-TNF antiserum, whereas the lysis of A375-M cells by monocytes incubated with rTNF was completely abolished by the presence of anti-TNF antiserum. We conclude that exogenous TNF does not render blood monocytes tumoricidal, but rather that TNF bound to cell-surface receptors can produce lysis of TNF-sensitive cells by a "carryover" mechanism.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Normalization of monocyte chemotaxis precedes clinical resolution of psoriasis treated with benoxaprofen.

Enhanced monocyte activity is present in psoriasis, and benoxaprofen is a drug that inhibits several aspects of monocyte function. To assess a potential pathogenic role of enhanced monocyte function in psoriasis, we determined monocyte chemotaxis and monocyte antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) at week 0, 2, 4 and 8 in psoriatics being treated with benoxaprofen. In patients responding to benoxaprofen, normalization of monocyte chemotaxis occurred at week 4, before clinical resolution took place. A significant decrease of monocyte ADCC was also present at week 4, but it was only at week 8, when psoriasis had completely cleared, that monocyte ADCC was completely normalized. In patients receiving placebo or receiving benoxaprofen, but showing no or minimal clinical improvement, monocyte functions remained increased. These results are compatible with the idea that benoxaprofen may improve psoriasis by interfering with monocyte function.

Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity↗

Identification and characterization of a novel monocyte subpopulation in human peripheral blood.

With the aid of two-color immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, a new subset of cells coexpressing CD14 and CD16 antigens can be identified in human peripheral blood. Using the monoclonal antibody My4, these CD14+/CD16+ cells account for 2.2% of the mononuclear cells and form about 13% of all cells identified by the monocyte-specific CD14 monoclonal antibody. The CD14+/CD16+ cells can be assigned to the monocyte lineage based on typical morphology, on expression of additional monocyte-associated molecules, on the ability to form reactive oxygen intermediates and on the expression of monocyte-specific NaF-sensitive esterase. Light scatter analysis revealed lower forward angle and right angle light scatter for the CD14+/CD16+ cells compared with the regular monocytes, and the average cell size was determined to be 13.8 and 18.4 microns, respectively. Expression of class II antigens on these "small monocytes" was twofold higher compared with the regular monocytes. By contrast, the capacity to perform adherence to plastic surfaces, as well as the ability to phagocytize antibody-coated erythrocytes was clearly reduced in the CD14+/CD16+ monocyte subset as compared with the regular monocytes. Hence the CD14+/CD16+ cells appear to represent a new monocyte subset with a distinct functional repertoire. A survey of various tissues revealed that a large proportion of the alveolar macrophages, but not of the peritoneal macrophages, express the CD14+/CD16+ phenotype.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Recognition of HIV glycoprotein gp120 by T cells. Role of monocyte CD4 in the presentation of gp120.

The HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 binds with high affinity to CD4 and is responsible for the tropism of HIV for CD4+ T cells and monocytes. Efforts to develop HIV vaccines have focused on gp120 and, therefore, a detailed molecular understanding of human immune responses to gp120 is essential. In this report, we have used human T cell clones specific for gp120 to examine the processing and presentation of gp120 to T cells. In particular, we examined the role of the CD4 that is expressed at low levels on the surfaces of human monocytes in the presentation of gp120 by monocytes. The presentation of gp120 to gp120-specific human T cell clones was blocked by pretreatment of monocytes with anti-CD4 mAb. Blocking of monocyte CD4 with anti-CD4 did not inhibit presentation of other Ag or of synthetic peptides representing epitopes within gp120 recognized by gp120-specific T cell clones. These results indicated that the anti-CD4-mediated inhibition occurred at the level of the monocyte, was specific for the gp120 response, and was operative at the initial Ag uptake phase of the Ag-processing pathway. Definitive confirmation that monocyte CD4 functions in the initial uptake step of the gp120-processing pathway was obtained by using soluble CD4 to block the interaction of gp120 with monocyte CD4. These results demonstrate that gp120 expressed by human monocytes plays an important role in the initial uptake of gp120 by monocytes and that gp120 taken up via CD4 is subsequently processed to allow for exposure of epitopes recognized by gp120-specific human T cells. At limiting gp120 concentrations, uptake via CD4 is essential for the presentation of gp120.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

HIV-1 and its envelope glycoprotein down-regulate chemotactic ligand receptors and chemotactic function of peripheral blood monocytes.

Peripheral blood monocytes from AIDS patients exhibit defective migratory responses to chemotactic stimuli in vitro and to inflammatory sites in vivo. In studies presented here, normal monocytes were infected with the HIV-1/HTLV-IIIBa-L isolate in vitro and evaluated for chemotactic responsiveness. Within 2 days after viral exposure, but before evidence of virus production in the monocytes, chemotactic activity was significantly impaired. Decreased chemotactic activity was associated with modulation of receptors for the chemotactic ligands, C5a and FMLP, on the monocyte cell surface. In addition to HIV-1, monocytes treated with purified HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 demonstrated a comparable modulation of chemotactic ligand receptors and migratory function. In addition, the HIV-1 or HIV-1 gp120-treated monocytes were induced to undergo differentiation as monitored by HLA-DR expression. Immunoprecipitation of the gp120 with a specific antibody reversed its effects on monocyte chemotaxis and HLA-DR expression. Taken together, these data indicate that the initial interaction of HIV-1 with the monocyte is not passive, but that the binding of HIV-1 and/or HIV-1 gp120 to the CD4R on monocytes transduces a signal leading to transient monocyte activation.

Cell Differentiation↗

Transcellular lipoxygenase metabolism between monocytes and platelets.

We have examined the effects of co-culture and in vitro co-stimulation on lipoxygenase metabolism in monocytes and platelets. Monocytes were obtained from the peripheral blood of normal volunteers by discontinuous gradient centrifugation and adherence to tissue culture plastic. Platelets were obtained from the platelet-rich plasma of the same donor. When 10(9) platelets and 2.5 x 10(6) monocytes were co-stimulated with 1 microM A23187, these preparations released greater quantities of 12(S)-hydroxy-10-trans-5,8,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid, 5(S),12-(S)dihydroxy-6,10-trans-8,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid, and leukotriene C4, 5(S)-hydroxy-6(R)-S-glutathionyl-7,9-trans-11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic (LTC4) when compared with monocytes alone. Release of arachidonic acid, 5-HETE, delta 6-trans-LTB4, and delta 6-trans-12-epi-LTB4 from monocytes was decreased in the presence of platelets. A dose-response curve was constructed and revealed that the above changes became evident when the platelet number exceeded 10(7). Dual radiolabeling experiments with 3H- and 14C-arachidonic acid revealed that monocytes provided arachidonic acid, 5-HETE, and LTA4 for further metabolism by the platelet. Monocytes did not metabolize platelet intermediates detectably. In addition, as much as 1.2 microM 12(S)-hydroxy-10-trans-5,8,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid and 12(S)-hydroperoxy-10-trans-5,8,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid had no effect on monocyte lipoxygenase metabolism. Platelets were capable of converting LTA4 to LTC4, but conversion of LTA4 to LTB4 was not detected. We conclude that the monocyte and platelet lipoxygenase pathways undergo a transcellular lipoxygenase interaction that differs from the interaction of the neutrophil and platelet lipoxygenase pathways. In this interaction monocytes provide intermediate substrates for further metabolic conversion by platelets in an unidirectional manner.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗

Dual function of monocytes on the regulation of granulopoiesis.

The intrinsic balance of monocyte-derived mediators in the regulation of granulopoiesis was studied. Both the granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSFs) and the colony inhibitory factor (prostaglandin E2; PGE2), were found to be elaborated by cultured monocytes, and most of these mediators were secreted during the first 4 days after monocyte cultivation. The concentration of monocytes in culture had a direct effect on the amount of mediator production. A maximum amount of mediators was noted to range from 2 x 10(5)-2 x 10(6) monocytes per 35 mm Petri dish. It was also found that the monocytes responded to the exogenous stimulus (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) in a biphasic manner. The optimal concentration of LPS in stimulating production of the tested mediators was 3.2 micrograms/ml. At higher concentrations (greater than 3.2 micrograms/ml), both the release of GM-CSFs and PGE2 were suppressed. The addition of indomethacin to the culture system resulted in a confirmatory increase in GM-CSFs production at LPS concentration higher than 3.2 micrograms/ml. The response of monocytes to endogenous regulators (GM-CSFs and PGE2) was also determined. The addition of GM-CSFs to the cultures promoted PGE2 production by monocytes in dose-dependent with an optimal concentration of around 450 units/ml. Alternatively, treatment of monocytes with PGE2 (10(-9) to 10(-10) M) also enhanced, to a certain extent, the production of GM-CSFs. The coincidence of the peaks of GM-CSFs and PGE2 release demonstrated in vitro suggested the existence of an intrinsic balance mechanism in the regulation of granulopoiesis by monocytes.

Adult↗

Opposing immunoregulatory functions of CD8+ lymphocytes: a requirement for monocytes in suppressor cell induction.

We have found that the induction of suppressor T cell (Ts) function in pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cels (PBMC) depends on the concentration of monocytes in inductive cultures. When cultured for 7 to 8 days in a physiologic concentration of monocytes (10 to 15%) suppressor cells differentiated with the surface phenotype CD8+ DR+ Leu-7- Leu-8+ Tp44-. Suppressor function, as assessed in secondary cultures of fresh PWM-stimulated CD4+ cells, was partially radiosensitive, and its induction could be partially inhibited by treatment with indomethacin. Culture supernatants of PWM-pulsed CD4+ cells could induce CD8+ suppressor cells only when monocytes were included in cultures for supernatant production. In marked contrast, if the monocyte concentration of PWM-stimulated T cells was reduced to less than 5%, CD8+ cells harvested from such cultures substantially augmented proliferation of PWM-stimulated CD4+ cells in assay cultures. Amplifier cells from monocyte-depleted cultures, were also DR+Tp44-. Suppressive activity of the CD8+ subset was restored simply by addition of monocytes to purified T cells, reconstituting the concentration present among unfractionated PBMC. Addition of IL 1 could not replace the requirement of monocytes for suppressor cell induction either in PWM-stimulated primary cultures or in culture supernatants. The data thus demonstrate that the regulatory activity of CD8+ lymphocytes is critically dependent on the conditions of cellular activation; at concentrations of monocytes normally present in peripheral blood, PWM stimulation induced potent suppressor activity, whereas under conditions of moderate monocyte depletion the regulatory activity of the same phenotypic subset of CD8+ cells was reversed. The experiments thus suggest that the functional consequences of an activating stimulus may depend on regulatory effects of monocytes in CD8+ suppressor cell induction.

Antigens, Surface↗

Effects of immune complexes on production by human monocytes of interleukin 1 or an interleukin 1 inhibitor.

The objective of these studies was to examine the ability of phorbol myristic acetate (PMA), Fc fragments, and various forms of immune complexes to induce the production by human monocytes of factors stimulatory to chondrocytes or thymocytes. All of these materials were prepared free of detectable contamination with bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) at the level of less than 0.1 ng/ml. Supernatants and lysates from stimulated human monocytes were assayed for their ability to induce collagenase production in cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes or to augment mitogen-induced proliferation of murine thymocytes. The activity detected by these assays exhibited an m.w. of approximately 15,000, and electrophoretic heterogeneity in the pH ranges of 5 to 5.5 and 6.5 to 7.0, characteristics of human interleukin 1 (IL 1) or IL 1-like factors. Monocytes cultured with 2 ng/ml LPS produced chondrocyte and thymocyte stimulatory factors. PMA, Fc fragments, and soluble, precipitated, particulate, or adherent immune complexes were inactive in stimulating the monocytes. However, complement fixation by precipitated immune complexes did generate activity capable of inducing monocytes to synthesize and secrete chondrocyte and thymocyte stimulatory factors. Adherent immune complexes and PMA were biologically active, as evidenced by induction of superoxide generation in the human monocytes. Supernatants from monocytes cultured on adherent immune complexes contained a factor inhibitory to chondrocyte and thymocyte responsiveness. This factor had a m.w. approximately 22,000 and appeared to inhibit specifically IL 1 stimulation, not interleukin 2 stimulation or cell proliferation. It was concluded that PMA, Fc fragments, and various forms of immune complexes in the absence of complement do not induce IL 1 production in human monocytes. However, complement fixation by immune complexes does lead to activation of monocytes to produce IL 1. Monocytes cultured on adherent immune complexes produce an IL 1 inhibitor.

Animals↗

Leukotrienes augment interleukin 1 production by human monocytes.

The effects of leukotrienes (LT) on production of interleukin 1 (IL 1) by human peripheral blood monocytes were examined. LTB4 enhanced IL 1 production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocytes twofold to threefold, and the most efficient concentrations of LTB4 were 10(-8) to 10(-7) M. LTD4 also enhanced IL 1 production, but to a lesser extent than LTB4. Adherence-purified, but otherwise unstimulated, human monocytes could also be induced to produce IL 1 in response to LTB4. Similarly, IL 1 production by monocytes stimulated with the known IL 1 inducers muramyl dipeptide, silica, or zymosan was also enhanced by LTB4. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase with use of indomethacin during IL 1 production by LPS-treated monocytes enhanced thymocyte response to IL 1, but LTB4 further enhanced IL 1 production when added to indomethacin-treated monocyte cultures. Neither LTB4 nor indomethacin had any direct effect on thymocyte proliferation. Optimal enhancement of IL 1 production occurred when LPS and LTB4 were present together at the initiation of the 24-hr monocyte culture. Significant enhancement was also observed, however, when monocyte cultures were either preincubated with LTB4 before addition of LPS or cultured with LPS alone for 3 hr before addition of LTB4. These results indicate that leukotrienes can modulate IL 1 production by human monocytes and suggest that they may play a role in IL 1-mediated functions of monocytes in inflammatory and immune reactions.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Monocytes enhance gamma-interferon-induced inhibition of myeloid progenitor cell growth through secretion of tumor necrosis factor.

In this study, we have examined the effects of autologous monocytes and T-lymphocytes on gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN)-induced inhibition of granulocyte-monocyte progenitor cells (CFU-GM) in vitro. Depletion of adherent cells from the mononuclear fraction of normal bone marrow (NBM) resulted in a significant reduction in the inhibitory effects of gamma-IFN on CFU-GM growth, whereas T-lymphocyte depletion had no effect. Adding back autologous monocytes to the underlayer fraction of agar culture resulted in a concentration-dependent enhancement of gamma-IFN-induced CFU-GM inhibition that did not require cell-cell contact. Adding back autologous T-lymphocytes had no effect and did not synergize with monocytes in enhancing gamma-IFN-induced inhibition. Based on the use of indomethacin and the pattern of CFU-GM subset growth, it was determined that prostaglandin E was unlikely to be the humoral inhibitory factor involved in this process. However, the effects of monocytes were completely reversed in the presence of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), suggesting that monocyte-derived TNF was responsible for the enhancement of gamma-IFN-induced CFU-GM inhibition. This observation was further supported by the ability of gamma-IFN to induce an eightfold increase of baseline monocyte TNF secretion in agar culture. These data suggest that gamma-IFN may inhibit progenitor cell growth in vitro through indirect humoral mechanisms involving monocyte-derived TNF, as well as through direct inhibitory effects on CFU-GM proliferation. Because monocytes are a component of the bone marrow microenvironment, the ability of gamma-IFN to induce biologically relevant levels of monocyte-derived TNF may play an important role in the negative regulation of hematopoiesis.

Granulocytes↗

Cryptic chemotactic activity of fibronectin for human monocytes resides in the 120-kDa fibroblastic cell-binding fragment.

Monocytes and lymphocytes form a second wave of infiltrating blood leukocytes in areas of tissue injury. The mechanisms for monocyte accumulation at these sites are not completely understood. Recently, however, fragments from extracellular matrix proteins including collagen, elastin, and fibronectin have been shown to induce monocyte chemotaxis. In this report we demonstrate that chemotactic activity for human monocytes is expressed when a 120-kDa fragment containing the RGDS cell-binding peptide is released from intact fibronectin or from larger fibronectin fragments. Monocytes, either from mononuclear cell Ficoll-Hypaque preparations (10-20% monocytes, 89-90% lymphocytes) or from elutriation preparations (95% monocytes, 5% lymphocytes), but not lymphocytes, migrated toward 120-kDa fragment preparations (10(-7) M) in blind-end chambers when the cells were separated from the chemoattractant by a 5-micron pore polycarbonate filter either alone or overlying a 0.45-micron pore nitrocellulose filter. Neutrophils migrated toward zymosan-activated serum but not toward 10(-5)-10(-8) M concentrations of the 120-kDa fragment. Intact fibronectin had no chemotactic activity for human monocytes. Fibronectin was isolated from citrated human plasma by sequential gelatin-Sepharose affinity and DEAE ion-exchange chromatography in the presence of buffers containing 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride to prevent fragmentation. Controlled enzymatic digestion with thermolysin cleaved fibronectin into 30 kDa fibrin, 45 kDa collagen, and 150/160-kDa cell and heparin domains. Upon prolonged digestion, purified 150/160-kDa fragments were cleaved into 120-kDa cell and 30/40-kDa heparin-binding fragments. Even though the intact fibronectin molecule, the 150/160-kDa fragments, and the 120-kDa fragment, have cell binding activity for Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts, only the 120-kDa fragment expressed chemotactic activity for human monocytes. Thus, the 120-kDa fibroblastic cell-binding fragment contains a cryptic site for monocyte chemotaxis which is expressed upon enzymatic cleavage of fibronectin.

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte↗