Phagocytosis by human monocyte-derived macrophages. Independent function of receptors for C3b (CR1) and iC3b (CR3).

Human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages were examined for their ability to bind and ingest C3-coated sheep erythrocytes (E). Greater than 90% of monocytes and macrophages formed rosettes with EC3b and EC3bi prepared with 15,000-20,000 molecules of C3 per E. Binding of EC3b to the monocyte or macrophage surface was inhibited by rabbit anti-C3b receptor (CR1), but was not inhibited by two different monoclonal anti-C3bi receptor (CR3) antibodies. EC3bi rosette formation was inhibited by monoclonal anti-CR3, but not by anti-CR1. Monocytes and macrophages did not form rosettes with similarly prepared EC3d,g or EC3d. Macrophages cultured for 7 days, but not freshly isolated monocytes, phagocytosed both EC3b and EC3bi. This ability was a consequence of macrophage maturation, as no external stimuli were present during in vitro culture. Experiments directed to determine if EC3b was converted to EC3bi before ingestion suggested that macrophage CR1 and CR3 mediated phagocytosis independently. No evidence was obtained that during the phagocytosis assay, macrophage factor I converted EC3b to EC3bi. The number of E bound or ingested by monocytes and macrophages was dependent on the number of molecules of C3b or iC3b bound per E. Monocytes and macrophages did not require the presence of either Ca++ or Mg++ for rosette formation with EC3b, whereas both divalent cations were required for optimum rosette formation with EC3bi. The presence of divalent cations was required for macrophage phagocytosis of EC3b and EC3bi. For ingestion of EC3b, Mg++ alone was sufficient, and the addition of Ca++ did not increase the number of EC3b ingested. For ingestion of EC3bi, both Ca++ and Mg++ were required for optimal phagocytosis, and their effect was concentration dependent and additive.