Abstract
A monoclonal antibody (MAb) was raised against guinea pig macrophages and its reactivity to bone marrow derived cells was tested. The Ab selectively reacted to phagocytic cells such as polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and macrophages, but not to erythrocytes, lymphocytes, hepatocytes and platelets, as determined by the binding and complement-dependent cytolytic activity. In vivo effect of the Ab on peripheral leukocytes was tested. More than 90% of PMNL were deleted 3 hours after the intravenous administration of the antibody. The cells started to reappear in peripheral blood on the 3rd day and returned to the level before the administration on the 6-7th day. Erythrocytes in peripheral blood were not affected. Phytohemagglutinin(PHA) and muramyl dipeptide(MDP) induced proliferation of thymocytes were tested after removal of macrophages by the selective binding of the MAb reactive cells to the plastic dish. Proliferation of the macrophage-deleted thymocytes was significantly suppressed, however, it was restored by addition of a small number of peritoneal macrophages. Those results strongly indicate that the MAb presented here is directed selectively to phagocytic cells of guinea pigs and should prove useful to study both in vivo and in vitro functions of the cells.
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