RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DIFFERENT FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF HUMAN MONOCYTES

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 33  (6) , 873-880
Abstract
Various methods for measuring monocyte numbers and function in human blood are compared. The following assays were used: phagocytosis of antibody-sensitized sheep red cells; staining for diffuse non-specific esterase activity; capacity to adhere to polystyrene and ability to lyse human A1 red cells sensitized with allogeneic anti-A1 antibody. Previous observations showing that sensitized A1 red cells are lysed by phagocytic cells and not K [antibody-dependent killer] cells were confirmed. Granulocytes lyse sensitized A1 red cells more rapidly than monocytes; this assay is only useful for assessing monocyte function of granulocytes are first removed from preparations. Phagocytosis is important in the lysis of sensitized A1 red cells by monocytes. Esterase positive cells correlate significantly with the number of cells phagocytosising sensitized sheep red blood cells, r [correlation coefficient] = 0.83 (P < 0.001) and with the number of cells adhering to polystyrene, r = 0.53 (P < 0.05). The lysis of sensitized A1 red cells correlated significantly with esterase positive cell numbers, r = 0.57 (P < 0.001) and phagocytosis of sensitized sheep red cells, r = 0.50 (P < 0.01) but not with the numbers of adherent cells, r = 0.34 (P < 0.05).