Production and release of C3 by cultured monocytes/macrophages isolated from burned, trauma, and septic patients.

The release of C3 under various conditions by cultured monocytes/macrophages isolated from burned, trauma, and septic trauma patients was determined. When monocytes were cultured for up to 14 days there was no difference in production and release of C3 by normals and patients; C3 production rose slowly at first then rose rapidly from 8-14 days of culture. C3 production continued for up to 28 days of culture. When lymphocytes were present with the monocytes for the first 24 hr of culture there were differences in C3 production by normal and patient cells at various times of culture. There were differences in C3 release by patients' 24 hour-cultured cells at certain postburn and injury days. Macrophages from burned patients released less C3 than normal cells and macrophages from septic trauma patients released more C3 than normal cells.