title: Differential interleukin-1 elaboration by density-defined human monocyte subpopulations.
abstract: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is an important immunoregulatory peptide produced by monocytes and macrophages. Because mononuclear phagocytes are morphologically and functionally heterogeneous, we examined whether they differ in their ability to elaborate IL-1. We used discontinuous Percoll gradients to obtain five density-defined human blood monocyte subpopulations. Unfractionated monocytes and their subsets were compared for their ability to stimulate thymocyte proliferation. Supernatants obtained from the denser monocytes consistently contained more IL-1 activity than did supernatants from the less dense cells. This difference in IL-1 activity was the result of differences in IL-1 elaboration, not the selective production of an inhibitor of IL-1-induced thymocyte proliferation. These data demonstrate that density-defined human monocyte subpopulations differ in their capacity to elaborate IL-1.
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides