Depressed macrophage functions at temperatures below 37 degrees C.

Immunobiological properties of guinea pig and human peritoneal macrophages were studied at temperatures ranging from 25 degrees C to 37 degrees C. Glass adherence, random migration, response to MIF and killing of Salmonella typhimurium and Saccharomyces cerevesiae by guinea pig macrophages were decreased with temperatures below 37 degrees C. Killing of Sacch. cerevesiae by human macrophages was also reduced at temperatures less than 37 degrees C. Acid phosphatase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity assayed at 37 degrees C did not change when the cells were preincubated for 1 and 5 hours at various temperatures. Impaired macrophage function with subnormal temperatures may contribute to enhanced susceptibility to infection of patients with chronic diseases such as renal failure and cirrhosis.