Quantitative immunocytochemical characterization of four murine macrophage-like cell lines

The aim of the present study was to obtain quantitative data on the expression of seven cell-surface antigens by the murine macrophage-like cell lines WEHI-3, P388-D1, J774.1, and PU5-1.8, and to compare these data with those obtained for various mononuclear phagocytes. Binding of monoclonal antibodies F4/80, M1/70, 2.4.G.2., 30.G.12, M3/38, M3/84, and 59AD2.2 to cells from these four cell lines was detected by the biotin-avidin immunoperoxidase staining method and quantified by cytophotometry. The results are expressed as the percentage cells expressing a given antigen and the mean specific integrated absorbance per 0.25 micron2 cell-surface area. The results revealed that the phenotypes of the four macrophage-like cell lines differ markedly. Expression of the cell antigens by the cells of the various cell lines did not follow a normal distribution. Although the cell lines divide continuously and have certain characteristics in common with mature mononuclear phagocytes, none of the macrophage-like cell lines accurately resembles any of the mononuclear phagocyte populations. The strongest correlations for membrane were found between on the one hand WEHI-3 and P388-D1 cells and monoblasts and promonocytes (P greater than 0.011) on the other. P388-D1, J774.1 and PU5-1.8 cells expressed four of the six antigens to the same extent as skin macrophages (P greater than 0.012). With respect to expression of antigens recognized by antibodies 2.4.G.2., 30.G.12, M3/38, and M3/84 PU5-1.8 cells resembled activated peritoneal macrophages (P greater than 0.031). It is concluded that WEHI-3 is the most immature cell line, followed by the P388-D1 cell line, while J774.1, and PU5-1.8 are the most mature cell lines.