Phenotypic characterization and functional activity of human milk macrophages.

A large population (about 80%) of the cells obtained from colostrum and early human milk were considered to be macrophages by the following criteria: nonspecific esterase stain, adherence, phagocytosis and IgG-Fc receptor expression. The majority of freshly isolated human milk macrophages (HMM phi) stain for the monocyte antigen OKM1. Another monocyte antigen, 61D3, was expressed only by 30% of HMM phi. Class II antigens were expressed by HMM phi. About 85% of the cells were DR-positive whereas 50% were DS-positive as assessed with a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against class II antigens. Monocyte and class II antigens were gradually lost during in vitro culture. HMM phi can support proliferative response to antigens and mitogens when cocultured with autologous peripheral T cells. The proliferative response was significantly reduced when monoclonal antibodies to DR or DS were added to the assay. These results indicate that HMM phi have the phenotype and functional characteristics of antigen presenting cells.