Complement proteins and macrophages. III. The production of factor B by particle-ingesting macrophages.

A kinetic study of factor B secretion by particle-ingesting macrophages showed that the ingestion of zymosan but not latex lead to an early suppression of factor B secretion followed by a significant enhancement. This dual response was proportional to the number of ingested zymosans. After a suppressive period of 24-48 hr, the ingested zymosan stimulated the synthesis of factor B. The response of acid phosphatase synthesis to ingested zymosan was the same as that of factor B, while the synthesis of lactic dehydrogenase proceeded without an early suppression. These results suggest that factor B should be considered an enzyme released into the lysosomes of macrophages.