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Human Alveolar Macrophage Function: Differences Between Smokers and Nonsmokers
Author(s) -
Thomassen Mary Jane,
Barna Barbara P.,
Wiedemann Herbert P.,
Farmer Mark,
Ahmad Muzaffar
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.44.5.313
Subject(s) - cytotoxic t cell , lipopolysaccharide , macrophage , superoxide , in vitro , monocyte , cell culture , immunology , pulmonary alveolus , alveolar macrophage , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biochemistry , genetics , enzyme
Human alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes were obtained from smoking and nonsmoking normal volunteers. The macrophages and monocytes were incubated in vitro with bacterial lipopolysaccaride (LPS). The oxidative metabolic response of these cells was measured by superoxide anion production. Macrophages from smokers were suppressed in their superoxide anion response to LPS activation as compared to macrophages from nonsmokers. Monocytes from smokers and nonsmokers were not different. The cytotoxic properties of these macrophages and monocytes were assessed by an in vitro 3 H‐thymidine release assay against various allogeneic target cells. Macrophages and monocytes exposed to LPS were rendered tumoricidal. Macrophages from nonsmokers appeared to generate greater cytotoxic activity than macrophages from smokers. Macrophages from both smokers and nonsmokers were cytotoxic for three different tumorigenic cell lines but not for a nontumorigenic cell line. Monocytes from smokers and nonsmokers were not different in cytotoxic activity. We conclude that macrophages from both smokers and nonsmokers can be activated after exposure to LPS; however, macrophages from smokers may be slightly suppressed in their responses.