Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor activates macrophages derived from bone marrow cultures to synthesis of MHC class II molecules and to augmented antigen presentation function

• Published in: The Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 141; no. 11; pp. 3882 - 3888
• Main Authors: Fischer, HG, Frosch, S, Reske, K, Reske-Kunz, AB
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Am Assoc Immnol 01.12.1988; American Association of Immunologists
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic - pharmacology; Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity; Animals; Antigen-Presenting Cells - drug effects; Antigen-Presenting Cells - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Marrow - immunology; Cell Line; Colony-Stimulating Factors - pharmacology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; Growth Substances - pharmacology; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II - biosynthesis; Immunobiology; Interferon-gamma - pharmacology; Interleukin-1 - metabolism; Interleukin-1 - pharmacology; Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects; Macrophage Activation - drug effects; Macrophages - drug effects; Macrophages - immunology; Macrophages - metabolism; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Miscellaneous; Regulatory factors and their cellular receptors; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Cell culture; Antigen presentation; Major histocompatibility system; Class II histocompatibility antigen; Cytokine; Bone marrow; Stimulation; Activation; Biosynthesis; Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor; Macrophage
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1550-6606
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.141.11.3882

The effects of granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF on the synthesis of MHC class II molecules and on the Ag presentation capacity by bone marrow derived macrophages (BMM phi) was investigated. BMM phi obtained by in vitro culture in the presence of macrophage-CSF were negative for synthesis of I-A molecules and induced the Ag-mediated proliferation of insulin-specific T clone cells with lower efficiency than splenic accessory cells. After pulse treatment with GM-CSF for 24 to 48 h, day 12 BMM phi exhibited highly efficient Ag presentation function which was superior to that induced by IFN-gamma. Expression of membrane-bound IL-1 was augmented significantly by GM-CSF, but not by IFN-gamma. However, the T cell clone used to probe for accessory cell function of BMM phi was not dependent on IL-1 for optimal proliferation. Concomitantly, GM-CSF induced the de novo synthesis of I-A molecules, although to a lesser extent than optimal doses of IFN-gamma. Thus GM-CSF appears to elicit properties in addition to Ia molecule synthesis and membrane IL-1 expression in BMM phi being essential for efficient accessory cell function to the T clone cells. The activation of BMM phi by GM-CSF was reversible and could be repeated. These data show that GM-CSF exerts a modulatory influence on preformed BMM phi, reversibly activating cells to Ia biosynthetic potential and pronounced accessory cell capacity, thus rendering the explanation unlikely that differentiation of precursor cells into a constitutively functional state had occurred.