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Superoxide generation by human monocytes and macrophages
Author(s) -
Weiss Stephen J.,
King Gerald W.,
Lobuglio Albert F.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830040102
Subject(s) - superoxide , macrophage , monocyte , immunology , medicine , chemistry , biochemistry , in vitro , enzyme
Intracellular and extracellular superoxide (O 2 .− ) generation by human monocytes and macrophages was quantitated by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction method. Human monocytes reduced 4.4 ± 0.9 nmoles/10 6 cells/15 minutes with an increase to 12.4 ± 1.3 during phagocytosis of zymosan. Based on inhibition by superoxide dismutase, superoxide generation of these cells was 1.8 ± 0.3 nmoles in the resting state and 16.8 ± 2.8 nmoles with zymosan phagocytosis. Human macrophages obtained by thoracentesis had comparable levels of NBT reduction and O 2 .− generation. Monocytes from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease demonstrated no increment in O 2 .− production during phagocytosis. Thus, human monocytes and macrophages appear capable of generating substantial amounts of O 2 .− during phagocytosis which may play an important role in bactericidal and other cell functions.