Activation of macrophages by lymphokines from T-cell clones: Evidence for different macrophage-activating factors

Abstract The data reported in this paper demonstrate that macrophage-activating factors (MAFs) are a heterogeneous group of T-cell-derived lymphokines. Two long-term T-cell clones, Cl 96 and PK 7.1.2E8, were potent sources of MAFs (MAF96 and MAF7.1.2E8). These MAFs could be distinguished by differential activation of macrophages. Activation of resident murine macrophages with MAF7.1.2E8 enhanced RNA and glycoprotein synthesis, hexosemonophosphate shunt (HMPS) activity, release of oxygen metabolites (O − 2 and H 2 O 2 ), pinocytosis and tumor cytostasis, whereas no effect on schistosomula killing and tumor cytolysis could be observed. In contrast, MAF96 enhanced glycoprotein synthesis, HMPS activity, release of oxygen metabolites and prostaglandin E, schistosomula killing, and tumor cytostasis and cytolysis, while RNA synthesis and pinocytosis were decreased. These findings show that MAFs from both T-cell clones share some properties but markedly differ in others. In addition, the macrophage-activating properties of MAF96 but not of MAF7.1.2E8 could selectively be inhibited by a rabbit anti-lymphokine antiserum. This demonstrates a serological difference between MAF activities from both clones. Although at optimal concns both MAFs were active in the absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the activity of suboptimal doses of MAF96 but not of MAF7.1.2E8 could be enhanced by LPS. These findings show that different MAFs from T-cell clones may be useful to clarify molecular mechanisms of macrophage activation.