PROPERTIES OF MULTINUCLEATED GIANT-CELLS IN A NEW IN-VITRO MODEL FOR HUMAN GRANULOMA-FORMATION

Multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) are a key feature of granulomas. The y have been studied with respect to the mechanism and regulation of th eir formation, but the function of these cells still remains elusive. A new method for the in vitro generation of granulomas was developed a nd characterized in which L3 larvae of Nippostrongylus br brasiliensis , as a target for the cellular response, were co-incubated with human mononuclear blood cells. The development of epithelioid cells and MGCs was observed and single isolated MGCs were analysed by the reverse tr anscriptase polymerase chain reaction method. The presence of tumour n ecrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), inte rleukin-6 (IL-6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) transcrip ts in MGCs was demonstrated. It is proposed that MGCs in the granuloma model may in part represent an active cellular constituent involved i n granuloma formation and turnover and in the destruction of the irrit ant. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.