Chemiluminescence in a macrophage cell line modulated by biological response modifiers

We have studied a murine macrophage cell line, J774, and found these cells capable of a zymosan-triggered chemiluminescent oxidative burst. Such activity was enhanced by preincubation with Corynebacterium parvum (CP), bacillus Calmette-Guerin, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Under similar conditions, CP and LPS were shown to enhance J774-mediated tumor cell lysis. We have also demonstrated that murine interferon alpha + beta rendered J774 cells more sensitive to the actions of CP and LPS. These results indicate that J774 cells may be useful for the in vitro evaluation of biological response modifiers as well as the study of oxygen radical production by macrophages.