Recombinant Human Tumor Necrosis Factor Increases Granulocyte Cell-Surface Complement Receptor Number

Abstract
• Exposure of human buffy-coat granulocytes to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) produced cellular activation as indicated by an increase in the neutrophil and monocyte cell-surface number of C3b receptors (measured by indirect immunofluorescence). The degree of receptor increase depended on the dose of TNF from 25 to 1250 pg/mL. Results of kinetic analysis confirmed this response: TNF, 250 pg/mL, caused an increase in the C3b receptor number within ten minutes. Purified neutrophils exhibited a similar increase in cell-surface C3b receptors dependent on the concentration of TNF. Tumor necrosis factor could be a mediator of granulocyte activation in patients. (Arch Surg 1988;123:1333-1336)