Studies on the physico-chemical characteristics of polymorph migration stimulator.

Polymorph migration stimulator is a supernatant factor produced by the interaction between glucocorticosteroids and human blood monocytes in culture. Studies on the physical characteristics of this factor show that it is soluble and stable at high and low temperatures. Its activity is reduced by acid and alkali treatment and destroyed by the proteolytic enzyme protease. Experiments involving dialysis, ultrafiltration and Sephadex G-100 gell filtration indicate that the molecular weight of the polymorph migration stimulator is between 12,000 and 15,000. It is suggested that this factor may mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticosteroids on phagocytic cells.