Lymphokines secreted by an established lymphocyte line modulate receptor-mediated endocytosis in macrophages derived from human monocytes.

As little as 1 microliter of serum-free supernatant from Mo(t), an established lymphocyte line, when added to a 500-microliters incubation of macrophages derived from human monocytes, significantly decreased the receptor-mediated uptake and degradation of three cholesterol-rich molecules: low density lipoprotein (LDL); LDL complexed to dextran sulfate; and LDL modified by malondialdehyde (MDA-LDL). In contrast, the receptor-mediated uptake and degradation of mannosyl bovine serum albumin was increased three-fold. The Mo(t) supernatant did not contain competitive inhibitors of the cholesterol-rich ligands, and it did not alter macrophage receptor-independent endocytosis, protein synthesis, or phagocytosis of heat-killed yeast. The effect of the Mo(t) supernatant was specific for macrophages and was abolished by preincubation of the supernatant with trypsin, which indicates that the active substances are protein in nature. The decrease in the uptake and degradation of MDA-LDL induced by preincubating the macrophages with Mo(t) supernatant appeared to result from a decrease in the number of receptors for this ligand at the cell surface. The isolation of these lymphokines should offer new insights into macrophage receptor-mediated endocytosis, and may yield substances useful in preventing foam cell formation in atherosclerosis.