Induction of proliferation of human circulating monocytes in vitro by lectin-induced factor(s) from lymphocytes.

Human peripheral blood monocytes, which have been considered to be non-dividing cells, were induced to proliferate in vitro by soluble mediator(s) from lectin-activated human lymphocytes. The lectin-induced factor from lymphocytes increased both the number of nuclei of cultured monocytes and [3H]-thymidine incorporation into the monocytes. The molecular weights of the soluble factor(s) that promote growth of monocytes were in the range of 20,000-70,000 daltons with two peaks.