Human mononuclear phagocyte-associated antigens: II. Lymphokine-inducible antigens on the macrophage cell line, U937

We have utilized the U937 macrophage cell line as a model system for analysis of human mononuclear phagocyte (MNP) differentiation. In addition to expressing membrane antigens shared with other MNP, U937 possesses an intrinsic ability to become “activated” upon exposure to lymphokines. A heteroantiserum produced against lymphokine-stimulated U937 (anti-U937L) was utilized to detect acquired or inducible membrane antigens expressed on “activated” U937. Absorption of this antiserum to remove antibodies to nonstimulated U937 (U937N) did not remove the reactivity of anti-U937L/U937N to lymphokine-stimulated U937 as determined by an 125I-protein A radioimmunoassay. The lymphokine-inducible antigens were not detectable on resident, human peritoneal macrophages. In addition to expression of lymphokine-inducible antigens, treated U937 cells displayed alterations in both morphology and functional activity (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity). Kinetic analysis of lymphokine-stimulated U937 indicated that antigen expression occurred as early as 1–2 hr after lymphokine exposure, plateauing at 16–18 hr of stimulation. The inducible antigens were susceptible to proteolytic degradation and expression was blocked by inhibitors of protein synthesis. Inducible antigens detectable by anti-U937L/U937N did not result from the expression of cryptic or buried membrane antigens. Thus, the U937 cell line can be utilized for production of antibodies useful in analysis of membrane antigen expression during differentiation within the MNP system.