Similarity of Migration Inhibitory Factor(s) Produced by Human Lymphoid Cell Line and Phytohemagglutinin and Tuberculin-Stimulated Human Peripheral Lymphocytes

The migration inhibitory factor(s) (MIF) derived from the supernatants of an established human lymphoid cell line (PGLC-33H) and from human peripheral lymphocytes stimulated in vitro by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and tuberculin (PPD) were characterized and compared. Separation of these supernatants by differential ultrafiltration showed peak inhibitory activity for all three in the fraction containing molecules of the size 10,000 to 50,000. Separation by Sephadex gel filtration (G-75) revealed similar elution profiles for these MIF. Peak inhibitory activity eluted between enzyme markers of m.w. 17,000 and 25,000. The MIF activity contained in these supernatants was found to be heat stable (56°C for 30 min) and chymotrypsin sensitive. The MIF derived from human long term lymphoid cell lines appears to be similar to the MIF produced by human peripheral lymphocytes stimulated in vitro by mitogen and antigen.