Differentiation of rat bone marrow cells into macrophages under the influence of mouse L929 cell supernatant.

Bone marrow cells (BMC) flushed from femora of Lewis rats were cultured in Dulbecco's modification of Eagle's medium supplemented with mouse L929 cell supernatant as a source of colony-stimulating factor (CSF). Differentiation of macrophage progenitor cells into macrophages (M phi) and expression of various markers were kinetically assessed. The proportion of M phi increases from approximately 4% in freshly isolated BMC to 100% after 7-8 days of cell culture. These cells, termed bone marrow cell-derived macrophages (BMDM phi), adhere to and spread on plastic surface; exhibit M phi morphology; stain intensely for nonspecific esterase; are able to phagocytose latex particles, IgG-sensitized erythrocytes, and C3-coated red cells; and express receptors for IgG and C3. A subpopulation of BMDM phi expresses MHC class II antigens as demonstrated by immunofluorescence using MRC OX6 and MRC OX17 monoclonal antibodies which recognize antigens coded in the I-A or I-E subregion of the MHC, respectively. Collectively, our results show that supernatant from mouse L929 cells supports and is continuously required for proliferation and differentiation of rat BMC into typical M phi, and suggest that mouse CSF cross-reacts with the putative receptor on rat M phi.