AJP - Cell Physiology, Vol 256, Issue 5 C1012-C1015, Copyright © 1989 by American Physiological Society
Interleukin 1 release by human alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes
G. K. Iwamoto, M. M. Monick, L. F. Burmeister and G. W. Hunninghake
Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Administration, Iowa City, Iowa.
These studies utilized a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for
interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) to compare release of IL-1 by human alveolar
macrophages and blood monocytes. The studies demonstrate that alveolar
macrophages release amounts of antigenic IL-1 beta that are similar to that
of blood monocytes. The amounts of IL-1 released were similar for both cell
types at early (4 h) and late (24 h) time points and with differing amounts
of stimuli [endotoxin; lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]. In addition, alveolar
macrophages actually produced more total IL-1 (intracellular IL-1 plus
released IL-1) than did blood monocytes. Alveolar macrophages that were
stimulated with LPS released significantly more prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, an
inhibitor of IL-1) than did blood monocytes. These studies demonstrate that
human alveolar macrophages are not defective in their capacity to release
IL-1.
