Effects of purified macrophage RNase on granuloma fibroblasts with reference to silicosis

Two alkaline RNases, designated RNase 1 and RNase 2, were isolated from the culture media of silica-treated and non-treated macrophages. The yield of RNase from the medium of silica-treated macrophages was 30% of that from the non-treated control. The effects of these RNases on cultured granuloma fibroblasts and on granulation-tissue nuclei were studied. RNase 1 inhibited thymidine incorporation into fibroblasts except at low concentrations, where it was observed to be stimulatory. RNase 1 also inhibited the protein synthesis of fibroblasts. The incorporation of cytidine into RNA in cultured fibroblasts was not affected by RNase 1, but the incorporation into isolated nuclei was decreased. In pulse chase experiments RNase 1 increased the release of cytidine, but not that of thymidine, from the cells. RNase 2 had no effect on the protein or nucleic acid metabolism of the fibroblasts or on the RNA metabolism of isolated nuclei, perhaps because of impermeability. These experiments confirm that macrophage RNase activity is able to regulate the metabolism of granulation-tissue fibroblasts by increasing RNA degradation. Through this action it also regulates DNA and protein synthesis and other metabolic functions of those cells.