title: Human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) causes a selective down regulation of monocyte MHC class II molecules without altering other induced or noninduced monocyte markers or functions in monocytoid cell lines.
abstract: Human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) purified from human amniotic fluid was investigated for its effect on human monocytoid cell lines, including U 937 cells with established subclones. The impact of AFP on the expression of surface markers (MHC class I and II, CD4, CD18, CD45, Fc receptors for IgG) was analyzed using known inducers of monocyte-macrophage differentiation such as phorbol esters and IFN-gamma. Furthermore we investigated the effect of AFP on the induction of macrophage antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytolytic activity (ADCC). AFP did selectively induce a rapid down regulation of surface MHC class II expression. No evidence of alterations was found in the endogenous or differentiation-induced expression of other markers on the surface on monocytes, nor did AFP affect the functional maturation of surface Fc receptors or the ability to express ADCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laan-Pütsep
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wigzell
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cotran
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gidlund
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D002460:Cell Line; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins