title: Human monocyte heterogeneity: interleukin 1 and prostaglandin E2 production by separate subsets.
abstract: Human peripheral blood monocytes were separated into four different subpopulations by means of a discontinuous bovine serum albumin gradient. Of the least dense population, 7% were present in fraction A, 11% in fraction B, 28% in fraction C and of the most dense, 34% were in fraction D. The rest (17%) of the recovered cells sedimented as a pellet, of which 95% were dead. The monocytes of fraction D (= greater than or equal to 1.075 kg/l) were major interleukin 1 (IL 1) producers and their presence enhanced immunoglobulin synthesis in vitro. Fraction C (= greater than or equal to 1.070 kg/l) were the major prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) producers and demonstrated suppressor activity on in vitro IgG and IgM synthesis. Fractions A and B had minimal production of either IL 1 or PGE2 and lesser effects on the IgG and IgM synthesis. These data demonstrate functional heterogeneity of peripheral blood monocytes with respect to production of both IL 1 and PGE2 as well as accessory cells for immunoglobulin synthesis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002469:Cell Separation; D015232:Dinoprostone; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007375:Interleukin-1; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D015232:Dinoprostone