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Published on: September 9, 2014
Interleukin 1 production by human monocytes induced in culture with K562 cells
1Institute of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Academy of Medicine, Poznań, Poland.
Insights
Neoplastic cells stimulate interleukin 1 (IL-1) production in human monocytes, though less effectively than bacterial lipopolysaccharide or iron particles. This immune response was also observed with allogeneic leukocytes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Monocytes are key immune cells involved in regulating inflammatory responses.
- Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a critical cytokine produced by monocytes that modulates immune cell activity.
- The interaction between neoplastic cells and immune cells can influence cytokine production and immune surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of K562 neoplastic cells on interleukin 1 (IL-1) production by human peripheral blood monocytes.
- To compare the IL-1 inductive capacity of neoplastic cells with known stimulants like bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and iron particles.
- To assess the ability of non-malignant allogeneic leukocytes (PBL) to induce IL-1 production from monocytes.
Main Methods:
- Monocyte cultures from healthy humans were stimulated with K562 neoplastic cells, LPS, or iron particles.
- Co-culture experiments were performed using monocytes and allogeneic peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL).
- Interleukin 1 (IL-1) production was quantified using a concanavalin A (Con A) thymocyte co-activation assay with colorimetric proliferation measurement.
Main Results:
- Monocytes secreted IL-1 upon stimulation with K562 neoplastic cells and in co-cultures with allogeneic PBL.
- Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and iron particles were more potent stimulators of IL-1 production compared to neoplastic cells.
- Dexamethasone treatment abolished IL-1 activity, while soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS) did not inhibit IL-1 activity.
Conclusions:
- Neoplastic cells can induce IL-1 secretion from human monocytes, indicating a potential role in modulating the immune microenvironment.
- The IL-1 inductive capacity of neoplastic cells is less pronounced than that of potent immune activators like LPS.
- Monocyte-derived IL-1 activity is sensitive to dexamethasone but not to soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS).
Abstract:
The effect of neoplastic cells, K562, was evaluated on interleukin 1 (IL-1) production by peripheral blood monocytes of healthy humans. Secretion of the monokine was compared with that resulting from stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or iron particles. In parallel, ability of non-malignant cells to induce production of monocyte-derived IL-1 was tested using allogeneic leukocytes (PBL). The studies were performed using concanavalin A (Con A) thymocyte co-activation assay, applying colorimetric assay of proliferation. The results obtained showed that IL-1 secretion by monocytes took place not only after tumor-cell stimulation, but also in co-cultures with allogeneic PBL. LPS and iron particles, however, were more efficient in stimulating IL-1 production. Absence of IL-1 activity was noted in supernatants of monocyte cultures in the presence of dexamethasone. Supernatants showing IL-1 activity were inactive in the presence of soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS) in IL-1 assay.

