Enhancement of rat hepatic macrophages by treatment with interleukin-2 and streptococcal preparation OK432, with reference to antitumor activity, soluble factor production and Ia expression

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Abstract
The effect of biological response modifiers, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and streptococcal preparation OK432, on the functions of hepatic macrophages was investigated. The macrophages, even with no exogenous stimulation, produced superoxide anion (O 2 - ) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), displayed cytotoxicity against K562 cells and cytostasis against P815 cells and expressed immune-region-associated antigen (Ia). IL-2 administered in vitro or in vivo enhanced O 2 - production by hepatic macrophages and the intravenous injection of OK432 also enhanced O 2 - production. Furthermore, IL-2 added to the culture medium of hepatic macrophages isolated from OK432-injected rats augmented O 2 - production even more. The TNF production and Ia expression of the macrophages were also increased by the intravenous injection of OK432. As with O 2 - production, the cytotoxicity of the cells was enhanced by OK432 injection or by IL-2 added to the culture medium and the combination of OK432 and IL-2 augmented their cytotoxicity even more. Thus, the present study suggested that IL-2 and OK432 induce the augmentation of the antitumor activity of hepatic macrophages, partly as a result of the increase in production of O 2 - and TNF and Ia expression.