title: A novel assay system for macrophage-activating factor activity using a human U937 cell line.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Macrophages play important roles in antitumor immunity, and immunotherapy with the group-specific component protein-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) has been reported to be effective in patients with various types of cancers. However, in macrophage research, it is important to properly evaluate macrophage activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  U937 macrophages were induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-phorbolacetate (TPA). The phagocytic activity of macrophages was evaluated as the internalized beads ratio. The MAF activity was assessed at 30 min after MAF addition as the activation ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We established a novel assay for phagocytic activities using differentiated U937 macrophages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The novel protocol was simple and rapid and was sensitive for GcMAF. This protocol should be useful not only for basic studies, such as those on molecular mechanisms underlying macrophage activation, but also for clinical studies, such as assessment of GcMAF activity prior to clinical use.
authors: Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, Kobe, Japan.
authors: Mami
authors: M
authors: Ishikawa
authors: Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, Kobe, Japan.
authors: Takahiro
authors: T
authors: Inoue
authors: Department of Life System, Institute of Technology and Science, Graduate School, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan Saisei Mirai Cell Processing Center, Osaka, Japan Kobe Saisei Mirai Clinic, Kobe, Japan Inui Immunotherapy Clinic, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Toshio
authors: T
authors: Inui
authors: Department of Life System, Institute of Technology and Science, Graduate School, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan Saisei Mirai Cell Processing Center, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Daisuke
authors: D
authors: Kuchiike
authors: Saisei Mirai Cell Processing Center, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Kentaro
authors: K
authors: Kubo
authors: Department of Life System, Institute of Technology and Science, Graduate School, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan.
authors: Yoshihiro
authors: Y
authors: Uto
authors: Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, Kobe, Japan Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, Kobe, Japan nisikata@konan-u.ac.jp.
authors: Takahito
authors: T
authors: Nishikata
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D016215:Macrophage-Activating Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D020298:U937 Cells; D014809:Vitamin D-Binding Protein / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016215:Macrophage-Activating Factors; D014809:Vitamin D-Binding Protein; C101908:vitamin D-binding protein-macrophage activating factor; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
keywords: Gc protein-derived macrophage-activating factor; GcMAF; MAF; U937 cell line; macrophage-activating factor; phagocytic activity