Abstract
There is increasing evidence that cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) are heterogeneous; we therefore asked whether subsets of the MPS could be identified volumetrically in human blood. Adherent cells were purified from human mononuclear leukocytes by centrifugation and brief adherence to plastic; these cells were composed of >90% monocytes by simultaneous tests for naphthyl butyrase activity and phagocytosis of yeast. Coulter volume distribution analysis of purified cells was performed using a multi-parameter cell sorter. Two major volume peaks, M1 and M2, were present in approximately equal proportion in all normal individuals tested, and a larger third peak, M3, was often present as a minor population. Mean volumes of M1 and M2 were approximately 200μ3 and 500μ3 respectively with the range of M1 overlapping that of lymphocytes. Volume distributions were essentially constant when analyzed consecutively for the same individuals. Mean volumes and volume distributions were similar in adults and children. Preliminary functional comparison of M1 and M2 indicated that M1 has a relatively reduced phagocytic rate. These studies support our hypothesis that there are identifiable subsets of MPS cells in human blood. These subsets now can be analyzed and also can be separated for ontogenic and functional studies.
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Arenson, E., Epstein, M., Herzog, P. et al. 678 VOLUMETRICALLY DISTINCT SUBSETS OF MONONUCLEAR PHAGOCYTES IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 476 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00683
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00683