Phagocytic Activation of Macrophages with Serum MAF Depends on Engulfment Efficiency and Not Migratory Activity.

Background/aim: Serum-derived macrophage activating factor (serum MAF) is known to increase the phagocytic activity of macrophages and potentially plays a role in activating cancer immunity. In order to reveal the contributing factors for phagocytic activation, the migratory activity and the efficiency of engulfment was analyzed.

Materials And Methods: THP-1 macrophages were induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA).

Macrophages Exhibit a Large Repertoire of Activation States via Multiple Mechanisms of Macrophage-activating Factors.

Background/aim: Macrophages are important components of human defense systems and consequently key to antitumor immunity. Human-serum macrophage activation factor (serum MAF) can activate macrophages, making it a promising reagent for anticancer therapy.

Materials And Methods: We established four different macrophage subtypes through introduction of different culture conditions to THP-1- and U937-derived macrophages.

Macrophage Activation Mechanisms in Human Monocytic Cell Line-derived Macrophages.

Background: Although the mechanisms of macrophage activation are important for cancer immunotherapy, they are poorly understood. Recently, easy and robust assay systems for assessing the macrophage-activating factor (MAF) using monocytic cell line-derived macrophages were established.

Materials And Methods: Gene-expression profiles of U937- and THP-1-derived macrophages were compared using gene expression microarray analysis and their responses against several MAFs were examined by in vitro experiments.

Establishment of a Macrophage-activating Factor Assay System Using the Human Monocytic Cell Line THP-1.

Background: As the mechanism of macrophage activation is not well-understood, standardization of an assay system for measuring phagocytic activities of macrophages will be useful for research on macrophages. Previously, we established a novel standardized macrophage-activating factor (MAF) assay system using U937.

Materials And Methods: Using the human monocytic cell line THP-1, another standardized MAF assay system was established.

Relations of blood pressure to angiotensinogen gene T174M polymorphism and alcohol intake.

To clarify the interactive effects of alcohol intake and angiotensinogen gene codon 174 (T174M) polymorphisms on blood pressure in Japanese male workers. On the basis of data from health examinations, nutrition survey and T174M genotype analysis conducted for 185 Japanese male workers at 2000, the prevalence of high-normal blood pressure (HNBP) and hypertension were compared between the four subgroups crossed by two T174M genotype categories ('TT' type, and 'TM or MM' type) and two alcohol intake categories (less than 13.7 g per day, and 13.

Association of the longevity-associated mitochondrial DNA 5178 A/C polymorphism with serum protein fraction levels in healthy Japanese women.

Mitochondrial DNA 5178 adenine/cytosine (mt5178 A/C) polymorphism was reported to be associated with longevity and susceptibility to adult-onset diseases in Japanese. To examine whether mt5178 A/C genotypes are associated with serum protein fraction profiles, we genotyped 461 healthy Japanese individuals, and studied the relationship of mt5178 A/C genotypes to both proportion and levels of serum protein fraction. The mt5178 A/C was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.