Cell surface antigens on the guinea-pig macrophage: identification by monoclonal antibodies and association with the activation state.

Ten monoclonal antibodies (moAb) directed against cell surface antigens of guinea-pig monocytes and macrophages (mph) were produced and characterized. The corresponding antigens are not present on granulocytes, T lymphocytes, an Ia-positive B-cell line or other haematopoietic cells. In binding or cytotoxicity assays, the moAb demonstrated characteristics patterns of reactivity, with mph being in different stages of differentiation or activation. Three moAb (342, 322, 249) recognized 'lineage antigens' (i.e. antigens continuously expressed during maturation of monocytes to mph and after stimulation or activation of the cells). MoAb 342 possibly defines a major cell surface determinant, being present on 90% of mph. The antigens detected by moAb 305, 320, 321 and 344 characterize mature mph. They were not expressed on monocytes, but were expressed on the majority of resident, elicited or activated peritoneal mph. MoAb 253, 310 or 257 defined discrete subpopulations of elicited and--with the exception of moAb 257--activated mph. The corresponding antigens were not present on monocytes or resident mph, but appeared on the cell surface during in vivo or in vitro stimulation of the cells. There was no indication of a contribution of the moAb-defined antigens to the presentation of antigen, mitogen or alloantigen by the mph to T cells. The functional significance of the antigens thus remains to be elucidated. Our studies indicate that cells committed to the monocyte/mph lineage share a family of differentiation antigens, distinguishing them from other cell lines. The moAb provide useful tools for further investigation of the activation of mph and allow the rapid detection of mph in different tissues.