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Updated: Jan 3, 2026
Multicellular Human Alveolar Model Composed of Epithelial Cells and Primary Immune Cells for Hazard Assessment
Published on: May 6, 2020
Characterisation of a New Human Alveolar Macrophage-Like Cell Line (Daisy)
Laura R Sadofsky1, Yvette A Hayman2, Jesse Vance3
1Centre for Atherothrombosis and Metabolic Disease, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Cottingham Road Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK. l.r.sadofsky@hull.ac.uk.
Purpose:
There is currently no true macrophage cell line and in vitro experiments requiring these cells currently require mitogenic stimulation of a macrophage precursor cell line (THP-1) or ex vivo maturation of circulating primary monocytes. In this study, we characterise a human macrophage cell line, derived from THP-1 cells, and compare its phenotype to the THP-1 cells.
Methods:
THP-1 cells with and without mitogenic stimulation were compared to the newly derived macrophage-like cell line (Daisy) using microscopy, flow cytometry, phagocytosis assays, antigen binding assays and gene microarrays.
Results:
We show that the cell line grows predominantly in an adherent monolayer. A panel of antibodies were chosen to investigate the cell surface phenotype of these cells using flow cytometry. Daisy cells expressed more CD11c, CD80, CD163, CD169 and CD206, but less CD14 and CD11b compared with mitogen-stimulated THP-1 cells. Unlike stimulated THP-1 cells which were barely able to bind immune complexes, Daisy cells showed large amounts of immune complex binding. Finally, although not statistically significant, the phagocytic ability of Daisy cells was greater than mitogen-stimulated THP-1 cells, suggesting that the cell line is more similar to mature macrophages.
Conclusions:
The observed phenotype suggests that Daisy cells are a good model of human macrophages with a phenotype similar to human alveolar macrophages.
