Differential immunohistochemical resolution of the human mononuclear phagocyte system.

Four new monoclonal antibodies, termed Ki-M1, Ki-M2, Ki-M3, and Ki-M4, were developed for distinguishing macrophage subgroups. Purified lysosomes of cells of stimulated U-937 cell line were used as immunogen. Specificity control was performed by staining unfixed cryostat sections of fresh human tissue with an immunohistochemical method, which allowed reliable recognition of reactive structures. Ki-M1 reacted with macrophages of lymphoid tissue, lung, and serous cavities. Ki-M2 recognized Kupffer cells and splenic macrophages. Both monoclonal antibodies reacted with interdigitating reticulum cells and Langerhans cells, which are thought to be accessory cells of the T-cell immune response. Accessory cells of the B-cell immune response, on the other hand, showed reactivity with Ki-M3 and Ki-M4. Thus, analogous to T lymphocytes, the human mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) can be subdivided into different subgroups with the aid of appropriate monoclonal antibodies.