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Responsiveness of guinea pig alveolar cells
F K Kessler1, B J Fisher, D E Bechard
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
Abstract:
Guinea pig alveolar cells were obtained in situ via bronchoalveolar lavage. The cells were 86% macrophages (GPAM), (greater than 97% viability) with the remainder of the population comprised of lymphocytes and eosinophils. The following battery of functional assays were studied in GPAM: chemotaxis was stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucine-phenylalanine (FMLP) and by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) in a concentration-related manner; cytotoxicity as measured by 51Cr release from target cells +/- PMA was induced in P815 mastocytoma cells and less strongly in 3T3 normal mouse fibroblasts; release of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGA) was stimulated by the calcium ionophore A23187, but not by PMA or the combination of PMA + A23187; superoxide anion production as measured by the reduction of ferricytochrome C was stimulated 25-fold by PMA; phagocytosis of opsonized 51Cr sheep red blood cells occurred in a time-related manner and reached its maximum after 120 min; and cell spreading, which exhibited a high rate of spontaneous spreading (76%), was only minimally stimulatable by PMA. The responsiveness of the GPAM, the ease of retrieval, and the large numbers of cells available make the guinea pig an ideal system for future study.
Insights
Guinea pig alveolar macrophages (GPAM) exhibit robust functional responses, including chemotaxis, cytotoxicity, and phagocytosis. Their ease of retrieval and high viability make them an ideal model for studying lung immunity.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary immunology
- Cellular immunology
- In vivo and in vitro immunology models
Background:
- Alveolar macrophages are critical immune cells in the lung.
- Understanding their function is key to respiratory health research.
- Guinea pigs offer a potential model for studying lung immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the functional capabilities of guinea pig alveolar macrophages (GPAM).
- To assess the suitability of GPAM as a model for immunological studies.
- To evaluate GPAM responses to various immune stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Alveolar macrophages isolated via bronchoalveolar lavage from guinea pigs.
- Functional assays included chemotaxis (N-formyl-methionyl-leucine-phenylalanine, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate), cytotoxicity (51Cr release), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase release, superoxide anion production, phagocytosis, and cell spreading.
- Stimuli included FMLP, PMA, A23187, and opsonized sheep red blood cells.
Main Results:
- GPAM demonstrated concentration-dependent chemotaxis to FMLP and PMA.
- PMA induced significant superoxide anion production (25-fold increase) and cytotoxicity against target cells.
- Phagocytosis of opsonized erythrocytes occurred in a time-dependent manner, and spontaneous cell spreading was high, with minimal PMA stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Guinea pig alveolar macrophages are highly responsive to various immune stimuli.
- GPAM exhibit significant phagocytic, cytotoxic, and chemotactic functions.
- The ease of isolation, high viability, and functional responsiveness make GPAM a valuable model for lung immunology research.