Possible role of macrophage glycolipids as receptors for migration inhibitory factor (MIF).

Guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells incubated with water soluble glycolipids obtained from macrophages show an enhanced response to migration inhibitory factor. Incorporation of these glycolipids into liposomes greatly facilitates their interaction with indicator cells. Enhancement of peritoneal exudate cell responsiveness to migration inhibitory factor was specific for glycolipids from guinea pig macrophages. Glycolipids extracted from guinea pig brain and polymorphonuclear leukocytes as well as several bovine and porcine glycolipids had no effect. Specificity of enhancement was not due merely to a preferential association of macrophage glycolipids with indicator cells. The possible role of macrophage glycolipids as receptors for MIF is discussed.