Abstract
Summary
Mouse peritoneal macrophages, after phagocytosis, release an endogenous (leucocyte) pyrogen. Intravenous injection of stimulated cell culture supernatant produces a prompt, monophasic fever in mice maintained in a 35° environment.
The pyrogen is distinct from endotoxin, and resembles cell pyrogens of other species in heat-lability and pronase sensitivity. Human leucocyte pyrogen produces identical responses in mice. Measurement of fever in mice appears to provide a sensitive biological assay for endogenous pyrogens.
We thank Drs. Elisha Atkins and John Stitt for helpful advice. This research was supported by NIH Grants Al-01564-18 and CA-14655-02.
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