Tissue distribution, structural characterization, and biosynthesis of Mac-3, a macrophage surface glycoprotein exhibiting molecular weight heterogeneity

Mac-3 is a mouse macrophage differentiation antigen defined by a rat anti-mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb),M3/84. The structure, biosynthesis, quantitative surface expression, and distribution of Mac-3 have been studied by radiolabeling and isolation with MAb-Sepharose, saturation binding, absorption, and immunofluorescence flow cytometry. In sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Mac-3 migrates as a diffuse band with average Mr = 110,000. Labeling of intact cells with 125I and accessibility to MAb show it is present at least in part on the cell surface. Saturation labeling with 125I-MAb shows 4.2 X 10(4) cell surface sites on thioglycollate medium-elicited peritoneal macrophages. [35S]Methionine and [3H]glucosamine incorporation into Mac-3 by purified macrophages show it is a glycoprotein synthesized by these cells. Absorption shows Mac-3 is strongest in macrophages, present in lower quantities in lung, liver, bone marrow, and spleen, and undetectable in thymus, lymph node, brain, and heart. Immunofluorescent flow cytometry shows surface expression on thioglycollate-elicited macrophages but not bone marrow, spleen, lymph node, or thymus cell suspensions. Similar amounts of Mac-3 are immunoprecipitated from resident macrophages or macrophages elicited by sterile inflammatory agents, intracellular parasites, or immunomodulators, but the average Mr of Mac-3 varies from 92,000 to 110,000. Mac-3 is synthesized from precursor(s) of Mr = 74,000 and 79,000, identical in the different macrophages. Processing into the mature molecule, which migrates in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a more diffuse band and varies in Mr among macrophage elicited by different agents and to a lesser degree between different preparations of the same type of macrophage, occurs in 15 to 30 min.     

The role of tumor-derived cytokines on the immune system of mice bearing a mammary adenocarcinoma. I. Induction of regulatory macrophages in normal mice by the in vivo administration of rGM-CSF

Using a dimethylbenzanthracene-induced immunogenic nonmetastatic murine mammary adenocarcinoma in BALB/c mice, our previous work has shown that splenocytes from tumor bearers have reduced responses to both mitogens and Ag including tumor-associated Ag. NK and cytotoxic T cell activities are also reduced in splenocytes of tumor bearers. Mac-1+2+ macrophages induced in mammary tumor bearers are capable of down-regulating lymphocyte responses to mitogens and tumor-associated Ag by cell to cell contact interaction and increased PGE2 production. We have found that the tumor constitutively releases a granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF-like factor in vivo and in vitro, which may be responsible for the systemic increase in cells of the macrophage lineage in tumor-bearing mice. A tumor cell line established from the in vivo tumor expresses and releases GM-CSF as shown by Northern and Western blot analyses. Daily i.p. injections for 3 wk of 10,000 U of rGM-CSF into normal mice induces hemopoietic and immunologic alterations similar to those observed in tumor bearers. Mac-1+ and/or Mac-2+ macrophages can also be detected in the spleens and bone marrow of the mice treated with rGM-CSF. Additionally, splenocytes from rGM-CSF-treated mice have reduced responses to mitogens and their peritoneal exudate cells can cause in vitro down-regulation of proliferative responses of lymphocytes from normal mice. The suppression can be partially reversed by the addition of indomethacin to the cultures suggesting that PGE2 may contribute to the effect. rGM-CSF enhances the in vitro release of PGE2 by the spleen, bone marrow, and peritoneal cells of normal mice. These data indicate that the high levels of GM-CSF constitutively produced by the tumor may be responsible for the hemopoietic changes and immunologic alterations observed in tumor-bearing mice.     

Control of helper-T-cell proliferation by recognition of Ia and Mac-1 antigens on phagocytic cells of the thymic reticulum

Phagocytic cells of the thymic reticulum (P-TR) have been previously described as being Ia-positive, Mac-1-positive accessory cells which pursue a close relationship with thymocytes. They form rosettes with thymocytes, and these rosettes are inhibited by antibody directed against the complement receptor type 3 CR3 (anti-Mac-1). P-TR induce the proliferation of syngeneic thymocytes. In the present paper, we show that thymocytes enriched in mature medullary type are induced to proliferate in coculture with syngeneic P-TR, while the cortical type does not. After 5 days of culture, 85% of the thymocytes are of helper L3T4+Lyt-2- phenotype. As previously shown by others for syngeneic reactions, antibodies directed against related class II antigens (anti-I-A and anti-I-E) block this helper-T-cell syngeneic proliferation. A new finding is the blockage of helper-T-cell proliferation by anti-Mac-1 as well as with anti-LFA-1 antibodies, showing that accessory molecules may be as important as specific recognition of class II antigen molecules in the control of thymocyte proliferation and hence in thymocyte selection. Mac-1, like LFA-1, belongs to a novel family of differentiation antigens involved in cell interactions. The blockage of cell recognition and interaction between P-TR and thymocytes by either anti-Ia or anti-Mac-1 during the early induction phase of the syngeneic response leads to its inhibition. We demonstrate that P-TR/thymocyte interaction stimulates the enhanced expression of IL-2 receptors on thymocytes, a step which is necessary for helper-T-cell proliferation. The mechanism of syngeneic proliferation inhibition by anti-Ia, anti-Mac-1, and LFA-1 antibodies may be the prevention of IL-2 receptor expression on thymocytes, and/or the inhibition of IL-2 secretion. Although this is an in vitro model, which may not totally reflect in situ situation, our results indicate that thymic accessory cells may participate in a positive selection process which leads to helper-T-cell proliferation.     

The myelopoietic inducing potential of mouse thymic stromal cells

The thymus has generally been considered as being solely involved in T cell maturation. In this study we have demonstrated that mouse thymic stroma can also support myelopoiesis. Bone marrow from mice treated with 5-fluorouracil was depleted of cells expressing Mac-1, CD4, and CD8 and incubated on lymphocyte-free monolayer cultures of adherent thymic stromal cells. After 7 days there was a marked increase in nonadherent cells, the majority of which were Mac-1+, FcR+, and HSA+. These proliferating bone marrow cells also expressed markers (MTS 17 and MTS 37) found on thymic stromal cells. Such cells were not found in thymic cultures alone, in bone marrow cultured alone, or on control adherent cell monolayers. Supernatants from the cultured thymic stroma, however, were able to induce these cell types in the bone marrow precursor population. Incubation of normal thymocytes with a monolayer of these in vitro cultivated Mac-1+, MTS 17+, MTS 37+ myeloid cells leads to selective phagocytosis of CD4+ CD8+ cells. Hence, this study demonstrates that the thymic adherent cells can induce myelopoiesis in bone marrow-derived precursor cells and provide a form of self-renewal for at least one population of thymic stromal cells. Furthermore, these induced cells are capable of selective phagocytosis of CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes and may provide one mechanism for the selective removal of such cells from the thymus.     

Immune mechanisms in leukemia: protective capacity of the major lymphoid cell compartments.

The capacity of immune spleen, lymph node, peritoneal, bone marrow, and thymic cells to protect C58/wm mice from syngeneic transplanted line Ib leukemia was quantified. Cells harvested 14 to 15 days after primary immunization were used for adoptive protection tests. Regression curves were computer analyzed and log10, PD50 values compared. For immune spleen, lymph node, peritoneal, bone marrow, and thymic cells the PD50 values were 4.53, 5.92, 4.88, 5.51, and 5.59, respectively. When immune spleen cells were treated with anti-Thy 1.2 serum the PD50 value was increased from 4.73 to 6.09, i.e., protection was reduced greater than or equal to 95%. Similar treatment of immune thymic cells reduced protection below measureable values. Anti-B cell sera (anti-IgM and anti-Ly 4.2) did not reduce the protective effect of immune spleen or marrow cells. These results indicate that a major protective cell population in each of these compartments was theta-positive. Experiments were carried out to characterize the cortisone (CS) and x-ray sensitivity of immune spleen, thymic, and marrow cells .When donor mice were treated with 12.5 mg of cortisone acetate/day for 2 days before lymphoid cells were harvested, the orotective effects of immune spleen cells, but not immune thymic or marrow cells, was reduced. When immune spleen cells were x-irrated in vitro, their protective effect was reduced by 350 R and abolished by 1000 R. When mice received whole boyd x-irradiation 24 hr before immune spleen cells were transferred their protective effect was reduced by 1000 R but only slightly lowered by 350 R. The possible significance of the multicompartmental nature of immunity to leukemia was discussed.     

Effect of cytokines on thymic hematopoietic precursors

Summary We have previously shown that the interaction of thymocytes with thymic accessory cells (macrophages and/or interdigitating cells) is one of the factors required for thymocyte activation. Precursors of both thymic accessory cell and thymocytes are included in the CD4^- CD8^- Mac-1^- Ia^- subpopulation, and their respective maturation and/or activation may be modulated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin 1 and interleukin 2. When CD4^- CD8^- thymic cells are activated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus interleukin 2, both macrophages and interdigitating-like cells are present, as shown by electron microscopy. When activated with interleukin 1 plus interleukin 2, the interdigitating-like cells is the only accessory cell present. In both culture conditions, large clusters are formed between interdigitating cells and lymphoid cells. These results have led us to propose two-step signals for thymocyte proliferation: first, the maturation of macrophages under granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor control and the production of interleukin 1, and secondly, the maturation of interdigitating cells under interleukin 1 control, their clustering with thymocytes which are then activated.Abbreviations CFU-S colony-forming units in the spleen - CSF colony-stimulating factor - DC dendritic cells - DN double negative cells (CD4^- CD8^-) - EC epithelial cells - GM-CFC granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming cells - GM-CSF granulocytemacrophage CSF - IDC interdigitating cell - IL-1 interleukin 1 - IL-2 interleukin 2 - MØ macrophage - P-TR phagocytic cell of the thymic reticulum     

Quantitative immunocytochemical characterization of mononuclear phagocytes. I. Monoblasts, promonocytes, monocytes, and peritoneal and alveolar macrophages

The purpose of the present study was to compare the phenotype of tissue macrophages with that of their precursors in the bone marrow and blood. The phenotype was determined on the basis of the quantitative binding of monoclonal antibodies to cell-surface antigens (antigen F4/80, complement receptor III, Fc receptor II, Ia antigen, common leukocyte antigen, and Mac-2 and Mac-3 antigens) on individual mononuclear phagocytes. Monoclonal antibody binding to cells, detected by the biotin-avidin immunoperoxidase procedure, was quantitated by cytophotometric determination of the amount of enzyme reaction product on cells. The results of this quantitation are expressed as the median of the specific absorbance per unit of cell-surface area (0.25 micron2) and per cell. Shortly after collection of the mononuclear phagocytes, binding of all monoclonal antibodies except those directed against the common leukocyte and Mac-2 antigens to peritoneal macrophages was enhanced compared with binding to blood monocytes; for alveolar macrophages we found reduced binding of monoclonal antibodies F4/80 and M1/70 (complement receptor III) and enhanced binding of monoclonal antibodies with specificity for the common leukocyte antigen and Mac-2 and Mac-3 antigens. The results obtained with cultured mononuclear phagocytes show that during the development from monoblast to tissue macrophages, monoclonal antibody binding to the various types of mononuclear phagocyte, expressed per unit of cell-surface area, was not significantly altered except that of M3/38 (Mac-2 antigen) to peritoneal macrophages and that of F4/80 and M1/70 (complement receptor III) to alveolar macrophages. Expressed on a per cell basis, the results show an increase in the binding of all monoclonal antibodies except those directed against the Fc receptor II and Mac-3 antigen during the development from promonocytes to peritoneal macrophages; binding of most monoclonal antibodies to alveolar macrophages was considerably lower than that to blood monocytes. It is concluded that the expression of the various cell-surface antigens alters during mononuclear phagocyte differentiation. The expression changed also during culture, although distinct patterns of alteration could not be distinguished.     

Effect of hydrocortisone and bacterial lipopolysaccharide on colony-stimulating activity production from mouse marrow adherent cells, spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages in vitro

The effect of hydrocortisone (HC) on colony-stimulating activity (CSA) production from mouse bone marrow adherent cells, spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages with or without bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation was studied. CSA in the supernatant from bone marrow adherent cells incubated with HC was found to be five times higher than CSA from cultures without LPS stimulation. In contrast, the CSA production by spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages were significantly suppressed by HC in both LPS-stimulated and non-stimulated cultures. These studies suggest that the effect of HC on CSA production was quite different depending on the target cells.     

A novel rat monoclonal antibody directed against a population of activated mouse peritoneal macrophages

A hybridoma clone secreting rat monoclonal antibody (MAB) designated as 3F3.5F and which reacted with a population of activated tumoricidal mouse peritoneal macrophage (M phi) was produced by the fusion of mouse myeloma cells with rat spleen cells immunized against adherent BCG-activated mouse peritoneal exudate cells (adherent BCG-PEC). The antibody was cytotoxic and of the rat IgM class. The specific reactivity of the antibody with mouse primary cells and cell lines was examined by complement-dependent cytotoxicity and indirect immunofluorescence flow cytometry analysis. The antibody was found to bind to about 40% of the adherent BCG-PEC activated in vivo and elicited peritoneal macrophages activated in vitro by lymphokine and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to about 35% of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) 15 hr after intraperitoneal injection of BCG, to about 30% of bone marrow cells from BCG-infected mice, to about 10% of P815 mastocytoma cells and to thioglycollate-induced PEC to some degree. It did not bind to other cells tested including BCG-induced peritoneal lymphocytes, non-tumoricidal PEC, thymocytes, spleen cells, resting bone marrow cells from normal mice, lymphomas, myelomas, fibroblasts, or macrophage-cell lines. Pretreatment of adherent BCG-PEC with MAB 3F3.5F and rabbit complement caused a considerable decrease in tumor cytotoxicity toward P815 cells, but the same pretreatment of non-adherent BCG-PEC had no inhibitory effect on natural killer activity for YAC-1 cells.     

Characterization of thymic cell subpopulations involved in IL-1- or GM-CSF-induced IL-6 production.

IL-6 has been demonstrated by in vitro studies to be a cytokine involved in thymocyte activation We show herein that thymocytes cultured at high concentrations in the absence of comitogen respond to IL-1 and, to a lesser degree, to GM-CSF, by producing IL-6. This phenomenon disappears rapidly with decreasing cell densities, suggesting the involvement of a minor cellular component of the thymus which may be solely responsible for or cooperate in IL-6 production. We have analysed several thymic subpopulations for IL-6 production and show that accessory cells, and eventually their precursors, are the major if not exclusive, producers of this cytokine. Mature steroid-resistant thymocytes do not secrete IL-6. Production of IL-6 by total CD4-CD8- thymic cells is largely reduced by the depletion of mature accessory cells which express I-A and Mac-1 antigens. As shown previously, accessory cell precursors within the CD4-CD8- compartment are induced to differentiate into M phi and DC in response to IL-1 and GM-CSF. We provide evidence that this maturation is associated with IL-6 production. Thymic DC and phagocytic cells of the thymic reticulum (P-TR) in vitro produce high levels of IL-6 which are enhanced by GM-CSF or IL-1. These factors have a synergistic effect on IL-6 production by total thymocytes, and on CD4-CD8- cells that are not depleted for mature I-A+ Mac-1+ accessory cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A chemotactic factor for rat thymocytes may regulate T-lymphocyte migration toward the thymic microenvironment

Using a modified Boyden chamber assay, extracts or culture supernatants of rat thymic stromal cells, or thymocytes were examined by chemotactic activity to rat leukocytes. Rat thymocytes responded chemotactically to the aqueous extract as well as to culture supernatants of thymic stromal cells. However, neither the extract and culture medium from concanavalin A-stimulated thymocytes nor any component of rat serum has shown such an activity. The thymic extract was fractionated into three molecular species with chemotactic activity for thymocytes. The thymocyte chemotactic factor(s) (TCFs) in the extract was distinct from known lymphocytic chemotactic factors, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, C5a, and the culture supernatant of stimulated thymocytes. In vitro, TCFs could attract, in addition to thymocytes, bone marrow cells, fetal liver cells, and nylon-wool nonadherent lymphocytes from peripheral blood and spleen. Lymph node cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and B cells from peripheral blood could not respond to TCFs. Thymocytes also responded to the extract of splenic stromal cells. Unlike the thymic extract, however, the splenic extract was chemotactically active for lymphocytes from lymph nodes but not for bone marrow cells. These results indicate that thymic stromal cells secrete a chemotactic factor(s) for a relatively immature type of T-lineage cells, which may by a thymus-homing progenitor T cell, while spleen may contain an attractant for a relatively mature type of T-lineage cells.     

Protein-energy malnutrition decreases the expression of TLR-4/MD-2 and CD14 receptors in peritoneal macrophages and reduces the synthesis of TNF-alpha in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) modifies resistance to infection, impairing a number of physiological processes, including hematopoiesis. In this study, we examined a few aspects of the inflammatory response to LPS in a model of PEM. We evaluated the cellularity of the blood, bone marrow and spleen, as well as phagocytic, fungicidal and spreading activity, the production in vivo and in vitro of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha and IL-6, and the expression of CD14 and TLR-4/MD-2 receptors in macrophages. Two-month-old male Swiss mice were submitted to PEM with a low-protein diet containing 4% protein as compared to 20% protein in the control diet. When the experimental group had attained about 20% loss of their original body weight, they were used in the experiments. Malnourished animals presented anemia, leucopenia and severe reduction in bone marrow, spleen and peritoneal cavity cellularity. The production of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha and IL-6 stimulated in vivo with LPS and the production of IL-6 in bone marrow cells cultured with LPS and the production of TNF-alpha in bone marrow, spleen and peritoneal cells cultured with LPS were significantly lower in malnourished animals. The expression of CD14 and TLR-4/MD-2 receptors was found to be significantly lower in macrophages of malnourished animals. These findings suggest that malnourished animals present a deficient response to LPS. The lower expression of the CD14 and TLR-4/MD-2 receptors may be partly responsible for the immunodeficiency observed in the malnourished mice. These data lead us to infer that the nutritional state interferes with the activation of macrophages and with the capacity to mount an immune response.     

Disruption of hematopoiesis and thymopoiesis in the early premalignant stages of infection with SL3-3 murine leukemia virus

A time course analysis of SL3-3 murine leukemia virus (SL3) infection in thymus and bone marrow of NIH/Swiss mice was performed to assess changes that occur during the early stages of progression to lymphoma. Virus was detectable in thymocytes, bone marrow, and spleen as early as 1 to 2 weeks postinoculation (p.i.). In bone marrow, virus infection was detected predominantly in immature myeloid or granulocytic cells. Flow cytometry revealed significant reductions of the Ter-119(+) and Mac-1(+) populations, and significant expansions of the Gr-1(+) and CD34(+) populations, between 2 and 4 weeks p.i. Analysis of colony-forming potential confirmed these findings. In the thymus, SL3 replication was associated with significant disruption in thymocyte subpopulation distribution between 4 and 7 weeks p.i. A significant thymic regression was observed just prior to the clonal outgrowth of tumor cells. Proviral long terminal repeats (LTRs) with increasing numbers of enhancer repeats were observed to accumulate exclusively in the thymus during the first 8 weeks p.i. Observations were compared to the early stages of infection with a virtually nonpathogenic SL3 mutant, termed SL3DeltaMyb5, which was shown by real-time PCR to be replication competent. Comparison of SL3 with SL3DeltaMyb5 implicated certain premalignant changes in tumorigenesis, including (i) increased proportions of Gr-1(+) and CD34(+) bone marrow progenitors, (ii) a significant increase in the proportion of CD4(-) CD8(-) thymocytes, (iii) thymic regression prior to tumor outgrowth, and (iv) accumulation of LTR enhancer variants. A model in which disrupted bone marrow hematopoiesis and thymopoiesis contribute to the development of lymphoma in the SL3-infected animal is discussed.     

Heterologous antisera to stromal mechanocytes of the bone marrow]

Heterologous rabbit antifibroblast serum (AFS) to stromal fibroblasts of the guinea-pig bone marrow was obtained. AFS was shown to bind specifically stromal fibroblasts and their precursors (but not macrophages) in the monolayer primary cultures of the bone marrow, thymus and spleen of guinea pigs (in the complement-dependent cytotoxic reaction and in the indirect immunofluorescence test); AFS also bound precursors of blood fibroblasts and peritoneal exudate (in the cytotoxic reaction). Precursors of the thymus fibroblasts were found to be more sensitive to the AFS action than the spleen and bone marrow precursors, this suggesting that the thymic stromal mechanocytes had a greater concentration of common tissue-specific antigens on their surface. Precursors of the stromal fibroblasts in native cell suspensions were found to be essentially more sensitive to the cytotoxic action of AFS than the colony-forming fibroblasts on the passage cultures.     

Development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to murine macrophage colony-stimulating factor

The macrophage-specific CSF (CSF-1), purified from murine L cell-conditioned medium, supports the in vitro proliferation and survival of various murine mononuclear phagocyte colony-forming cells. In this report we describe the production and functional characterization of two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to CSF-1 obtained from rat X rat hybridomas. These two mAb are functionally distinct and recognize different epitopes on CSF-1. The mAb 5A1 binds to and inhibits the biologic function of CSF-1, and the second mAb (D24) binds CSF-1 but does not neutralize its biologic activity. The mAb 5A1 inhibits colony formation of tissue mononuclear phagocyte colony-forming cells as well as the committed bone marrow stem cells for both granulocytes and monocytes. The extent of colony inhibition by mAb 5A1 is dependent on the tissue origin of colony-forming cells. CSF-1 complexed with mAb 5A1 does not bind to its cell surface receptor of peritoneal exudate macrophages, and mAb 5A1 does not complex with cell-bound CSF-1. Although both bone marrow cell-derived macrophages and J774.1 macrophages bind CSF-1, mAb 5A1 inhibits the proliferation of only bone marrow cell-derived macrophages. The non-neutralizing mAb D24 does not block binding of CSF-1 to its cellular receptor, and it recognizes cell-bound CSF-1.     

Function and regulation of the neutrophil MEL-14 antigen in vivo: comparison with LFA-1 and MAC-1

The CD11/18 (LFA-1, Mac-1) molecules participate in neutrophil adhesion to cultured endothelium in vitro and are critical for effective neutrophil localization into inflamed tissues in vivo. More recently, the MEL-14 Ag, which was first defined as a lymphocyte homing receptor, has also been implicated in inflammatory neutrophil extravasation. Here we compare the regulation and function of these adhesion molecules on neutrophils during the in vivo inflammatory response. The MEL-14 Ag is expressed at high levels on bone marrow and peripheral blood neutrophils, but is lost on neutrophils isolated from the thioglycollate-inflamed peritoneal cavity. In contrast, Mac-1 is up-regulated on inflammatory neutrophils and little change is seen in the level of LFA-1 expression. In vitro activation of bone marrow neutrophils with PMA or leukotriene B4 results in a dose dependent increase in Mac-1 and decrease in MEL-14 Ag expression within 1 h after treatment, thus reflecting what is found during inflammation in vivo. Neutrophils activated in vitro or in vivo (MEL-14Low, Mac-1Hi) do not home to inflammatory sites in vivo, correlating with the loss of the MEL-14 Ag and the increased Mac-1 expression. Anti-LFA-1, anti-Mac-1, or MEL-14 antibody given i.v. suppress neutrophil accumulation within the inflamed peritoneum (38%, 30%, and 37% of medium control, respectively) without affecting the levels of circulating neutrophils. However, when FITC-labeled cells are precoated with the mAb and injected i.v., only MEL-14 inhibits extravasation into the inflamed peritoneum (25% of medium control). Finally, in ex vivo adhesion assays of neutrophil binding to high endothelial venules in inflamed-lymph node frozen sections MEL-14 inhibits greater than 90%. anti-LFA-1 20 to 30% and anti-Mac-1 less than 10% of the binding of bone marrow neutrophils to inflamed-lymph node high endothelial venules. These results confirm that both the MEL-14 antigen and Mac-1/LFA-1 are important in neutrophil localization to inflamed sites in vivo, but suggest that their roles in endothelial cell interactions are distinct.     

A novel cell-surface antigen expressed on most leukocytes and a minor cortisone-resistant population of thymocytes in rats: characterization by monoclonal antibodies

A cell-surface antigen on rat lympho-hemopoietic cells was determined by using a monoclonal antibody, R2-1B3 (1B3). The 1B3 antibody, when tested for its reactivity with different hemopoietic cells by cytofluorography with a FACS analyzer, labeled more than 80% of lymph node, spleen, and bone marrow cells and 10-20% of thymus cells. Cytofluorographic analysis performed on purified rat T cells, B cells, macrophages, and granulocytes demonstrated that the antigen defined by 1B3 was readily detectable on all of these cell types, with the greatest expression on B cells. A minor population of thymocytes that were labeled by 1B3 appeared to be cortisone-resistant and were located mainly in the thymic medulla. These 1B3 positive thymic cells seemed to be functionally more mature than 1B3-negative thymus cells as suggested by the fact that the cytotoxic treatment of thymus cells with 1B3 antibody and complement (C) resulted in significant reduction of their responsiveness to phytomitogens and lymphokines derived from concanavalin A (con A) activated rat spleen cell cultures. Immunochemical data showed that 1B3 antibody recognized the broad ill-defined band with a molecular weight of 32K to 47K daltons as estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These data indicate that the 1B3 defined antigen is distinct from other, previously reported, antigens on rat lymphoid cells including leukocyte-common (L-C) and MRC OX-22 antigens, and that this 1B3 antibody is a useful reagent for analyzing the intrathymic differentiation of T cells in rats.     

Identification of a macrophage-specific cell surface antigen.

A mouse-specific macrophage antigen (MSMA) was identified in NP-40 extracts of 125I-radiolabeled mouse preitoneal macrophages by using a rabbit anti-mouse macrophage serum (AMS) and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The antigen was shown to have a m.w. of 83,000 daltons and was present on both normal and "activated" peritoneal macrophages. MSMA was also present on syngeneic adherent spleen cells, allogeneic peritoneal macrophages, a mouse macrophage cell line (P388D1), and exhibited some cross-reactivity with peritoneal macrophages from closely related species (rats and hamsters). MSMA was not present on nonadherent peritoneal exudate cells, spleen cells, erythrocytes, thymocytes, or bone marrow cells. Extensive absorptions of AMS with thymocytes and erytrocytes from mice were necessary to remove other antibodies that reacted with other mouse membrane antigens. An antiserum directed against a specific membrane antigen has great potential in elucidating structure-function relationships with regard to a number of macrophage activities.     

Peritoneal exudate cells. I. Growth requirement of cells capable of forming colonies in soft agar

Mouse peritoneal exudate cells induced by thioglycollate medium can form colonies in soft agar with a plating efficiency of about 5% (0.6%–10%). Cells from an unstimulated peritoneal cavity form no colonies or have a plating efficiency of less than 0.001 %. These colony-forming cells from the peritoneal exudate are similar to bone marrow colony-forming cells in vitro in that they both require a substance(s) present in conditioned medium from L-cells or mouse embryo fibroblasts or the serum from endotoxin-treated mice for the initiation and the continuation of their growth. However, peritoneal exudate colony-forming cells have a much longer initial lag period (10–14 days) and can survive longer in the absence of L-cell conditioned medium than bone marrow colony-forming cells. Only mononuclear cells, presumably macrophages, are observed in peritoneal exudate colonies, whereas bone marrow cell colonies contain both polymorphonuclear cells and macrophages.     

Thymic reticulum in mice. IV. The rosette formation between phagocytic cells of the thymic reticulum and cortical type thymocytes is mediated by complement receptor type three

A phagocytic cell of the thymic reticulum (P-TR) with dendritic shape recently has been isolated and characterized. We have previously shown that P-TR have an important role to play in the constitution of the thymic microenvironment. Indeed, P-TR are able to produce interleukin 1 and prostaglandin E2, both of which regulate thymocyte activation and proliferation. They are able also to stimulate the proliferation of syngeneic thymocytes enriched in the medullary type. In the present paper, we analyze a close relationship which exists between P-TR and thymocytes of the cortical type. About 25% of P-TR are able to bind to thymocytes and to form rosettes. Rosetting thymocytes represent about 5% of the total population and are PNA+, Lyt 1+2+, H-2-, and sensitive to in vivo steroid treatment. Pretreatment of P-TR with anti-Mac-1, a monoclonal rat IgG antibody against mouse macrophages and specific for complement receptor type three (CR3), abolished rosette formation. Rosette formation also was found to be inhibited by zymosan-treated serum containing the CR3 ligand, C3bi, and by certain sugars, in particular, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and L-xylose. Our results suggest that rosetting thymocytes bind to CR3 on the P-TR membrane and that sugar constituents of the carbohydrate moieties on the thymocyte surface may serve as a recognition site during the binding process.