EFFECT OF A STANDARDIZED LIVER AND SPLEEN FRACTION OF PEPTIDES ON THEDIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN MONOCYTE-DERIVED MACROPHAGES

The effect of Factor AF2 (AF2), a standardized fraction of peptides wi th a molecular weight of < 10,000 Dalton obtained from livers and sple ens of newborn lambs, on the differentiation of human monocyte-derived macrophages was studied, in view of the central role played by these cells in inflammation and tumor cytotoxicity. The results show that th e drug 1. increases the cell density of cultures, 2. favours the morph ologic differentiation of monocytes into macrophages, and 3. increases the macrophage phagocytic capacity. The first two effects are observe d when monocytes are cultured in 1% serum but not in 10% serum while t he enhancement of phagocytic activity is detected at both serum concen trations.