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Studies on the pathogenesis of fever. XV. The production of endogenous pyrogen by peritoneal macrophages
Abstract:
Macrophages from oil-induced peritoneal exudates in rabbits produce endogenous pyrogen when first activated by incubation in 4 hr exudate fluid and then stimulated by incubation in potassium-free isotonic sodium chloride solution. The failure of earlier investigators to obtain pyrogen from macrophages is explained, and the relevance of macrophage pyrogen to fevers of agranulocytosis and other diseases, in which mononuclear rather than granulocytic exudates predominate, is discussed.
Insights
Rabbit macrophages produce endogenous pyrogen when activated and stimulated. This finding explains previous failures and relates macrophage pyrogen to fevers in diseases with mononuclear exudates.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Macrophages play a role in immune responses and inflammation.
- Endogenous pyrogens mediate fever, but their source in certain conditions is unclear.
- Previous studies failed to consistently isolate pyrogen from macrophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conditions under which macrophages produce endogenous pyrogen.
- To explain the discrepancy in pyrogen production reported by earlier researchers.
- To discuss the clinical relevance of macrophage-derived pyrogen in specific diseases.
Main Methods:
- Macrophages were isolated from oil-induced peritoneal exudates in rabbits.
- Cells were activated by incubation in exudate fluid.
- Stimulation for pyrogen release was achieved using potassium-free isotonic sodium chloride solution.
Main Results:
- Activated macrophages produced endogenous pyrogen upon stimulation.
- The specific incubation conditions were crucial for pyrogen release.
- This study provides a method to elicit pyrogen from macrophages.
Conclusions:
- Macrophages can be a source of endogenous pyrogen.
- The findings clarify previous inconsistencies in pyrogen research.
- Macrophage pyrogen is relevant to fevers in conditions like agranulocytosis, characterized by mononuclear exudates.