Production of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin by the J111 cell line

The J111 histiocytic cell line is capable of producing human alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (alpha 1 ACh) in culture. The protein is secreted rather than stored in the cell, has a similar size to plasma alpha 1 ACh (68 kDa) and can complex with human cathepsin G. Dexamethasone and culture supernatants from U937 monocyte-like cells and alveolar macrophages, but not bacterial lipopolysaccharide, stimulate alpha 1ACh secretion by J111 cells. The J111 cell line thus provides a useful tool for the study of factors controlling alpha 1ACh synthesis in vivo.