Background/aim: Macrophages are important components of human defense systems and consequently key to antitumor immunity. Human-serum macrophage activation factor (serum MAF) can activate macrophages, making it a promising reagent for anticancer therapy.
Materials and methods: We established four different macrophage subtypes through introduction of different culture conditions to THP-1- and U937-derived macrophages. We assessed phagocytic activity to understand subtype responses to typical macrophage activation factors (MAFs) and the activation mechanisms of serum MAF.
Results: All four macrophage subtypes differed in their response to all MAFs. Moreover, serum MAF had two different activation mechanisms: N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-dependent and GalNAc-independent.
Conclusion: Macrophage activation states and mechanisms are heterogeneous.
Keywords: Immunotherapy; THP-1 cell line; U937 cell line; macrophage-activating factor; phagocytic activity.
Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.