Discrimination of Human Macrophages and Dendritic Cells by Means of Monoclonal Antibodies

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Abstract
Two monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), RFD1 and RFD7, have been used to investigate whether human macrophages and dendritic cells represent phenotypically distinct cell types. RFD7 recognizes a 77 kd antigen, and is specific for acid phosphatase positive tissue macrophages, while RFD1 recognizes a unique Class II antigen, which is associated with dendritic cells. With immunohistological/cytological methods it was found that neither of these reagents reacted with granulocytes, monocytes, or lymphocytes, with the exception that a small proportion (−, RFD7−) were matured in vitro, two distinct populations of RFD1+ RFD7− and RFD7+ RFD1− cells emerged. It is concluded that in normal tissues these two reagents identify phenotypic differences between macrophages and dendritic cells that may have functional significance.