BACKGROUND The different macromolecules as secreted by macrophages in the pelvic environment are believed to enhance the growth of endometriosis. However, the possible mediator that stimulates macrophages for the production of different growth factors is not well described. Therefore, we investigated the possible production of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by the basal and lipopolysaccharide (...

OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the characteristics of liver X receptor α (LXRα) and its target gene expression, as well as cholesterol efflux in human macrophages treated by nicotine. METHODS Human monocyte-derived macrophages were collected. Before apoA-I-mediated human monocyte-derived macrophage cholesterol efflux, and mRNA expression of LXRα, and some of its target genes being d...

OBJECTIVE Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is a multifunctional, extracellular lipid transport protein that plays a major role in lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. Recent in vivo studies suggested that unlike systemic PLTP, macrophage-derived PLTP would be antiatherogenic. The present study aimed at characterizing the atheroprotective properties of macrophage-derived PLTP. METHO...

The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is a multifunctional receptor that binds to apolipoprotein E-rich lipoproteins, lipoprotein lipase, alpha 2-macroglobulin, lactoferrin, and tissue plasminogen activator. We studied the mRNA expression of LRP in human monocyte-derived macrophages and THP-1 cells. mRNA expression of LRP was induced during cell differentiation from human m...

Macrophages in mouse bone marrow cultures were investigated with macrophage-specific monoclonal antibody F4/80 and anti-Forssman glycosphingolipid (GSL) antibody, which was specific for macrophages in hematopoietic foci. Antibody F4/80 stained two types of cells, small macrophages and large flat macrophages associated with hematopoietic cells. The cytochemical and phagocytotic characteristics w...

BACKGROUND Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake by monocyte-derived macrophages is a crucial step in foam cell formation and early atherosclerotic lesion. Increasing evidence supports the theory that activation of protein kinase Cbeta (PKCbeta) is involved in many mechanisms promoting atherosclerosis. Thus, we investigated whether inhibition of PKCbeta prevents foam cell formation. METHODS AN...

Macrophages in the injured spinal cord arise from resident microglia and infiltrating, peripherally derived monocytes. It is still not clear if macrophages derived from these two populations differ in their roles after CNS injury. The aims of this study are to investigate the phagocytic response and clearance of damaged axons and tissue debris by these distinct subsets of macrophages and assess...

INTRODUCTION .................................... 284 Nonspecific Resistance to Infection .......................................... 284 Specific Resistance to Infection .............................................. 285 CELLS INVOLVED IN HUMORAL ANTIBODY PRODUCTION ............. 285 CELLS INVOLVED IN CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY ................. 287 HUMORAL ANTIBODIES IN RESISTANCE TO BACTERIAL INF...