QUANTITATIVE ENZYME CYTOCHEMISTRY DURING HUMAN MACROPHAGE DEVELOPMENT

Integrating microdensitometry was used to study changes in the intrace llular activity of 4 enzymes during macrophage development. Suspension cultures of blood monocytes from 19 healthy human subjects were exami ned at 0, 2, 4 and 6 d. Mononuclear phagocytes were harvested by glass adherence and standard methods were used for cytochemical staining fo r NADH dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and al pha-naphthyl butyrate esterase. All specimens from all subjects were s tained at the same time and staining intensities in individual cells w ere measured at appropriate wavelengths. A highly significant increase in enzyme activity with culture time was found for all 4 enzymes. The se increases in mitochondrial, lysosomal and ectoenzyme activities dur ing development indicate the increasing functional capabilities of the macrophages.