Differential interleukin-1 elaboration by density-defined human monocyte
subpopulations
JA Elias, P Chien, KM Gustilo and AD Schreiber
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is an important immunoregulatory peptide produced by
monocytes and macrophages. Because mononuclear phagocytes are
morphologically and functionally heterogeneous, we examined whether they
differ in their ability to elaborate IL-1. We used discontinuous Percoll
gradients to obtain five density-defined human blood monocyte
subpopulations. Unfractionated monocytes and their subsets were compared
for their ability to stimulate thymocyte proliferation. Supernatants
obtained from the denser monocytes consistently contained more IL-1
activity than did supernatants from the less dense cells. This difference
in IL-1 activity was the result of differences in IL-1 elaboration, not the
selective production of an inhibitor of IL-1- induced thymocyte
proliferation. These data demonstrate that density- defined human monocyte
subpopulations differ in their capacity to elaborate IL-1.
Volume 66,
Issue 2,
pp. 298-301,
08/01/1985
Copyright © 1985 by The American Society of Hematology
