title: The macrophage electrophoretic mobility test (MEM) some technical considerations.
abstract: The following parameters of the cytopherometric test system have been studied. 1. Temperature is less important for the production of macrophage slowing factor (MSF) by lymphocyte-antigen interaction than it is for the activity of MSF on macrophages. 2. Lymphocyte number titration curves allow discrimination between 'weak' and 'strong' antigen responses. 3. Lymphocyte-antigen reaction reaches a plateau after 30 min incubation, whilst maximum MSF-macrophage reaction requires 60 min. 4. Interaction of MSF with macrophages is sensitive to cycloheximide. 5. Irradiation of peritoneal exudate cells (200 rad) is essential in order to obtain a maximal result in the MEM test. In the 'split MEM test, 200 rad to the indicator peritoneal exudate cells produces a greater result, i.e. it in some way amplifies the macrophage response to MSF. 6. Excess of peritoneal exudate cells, especially when non-irradiated, suppresses the test result. This is not due to consumption of MSF produced. Probably macrophages rather than lymphocytes are responsible for the suppression.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition / Q000379:methods*; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011830:Radiation Effects; D013696:Temperature; D014373:Tuberculin
chemical_list: D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D014373:Tuberculin; D003513:Cycloheximide