Tumor cytotoxicity of human macrophages after incubation with synthetic analogues of 2-lysophosphatidylcholine.

Human alveolar macrophages as well as macrophages derived from Teflon culture of blood-borne monocytes were incubated with synthetic analogues of 2-lysophosphatidylcholine and then tested for their cytotoxic capacity against an allogeneic lymphoma cell line. Metabolic, rather stable analogues enhanced macrophage cytotoxicity significantly. This phenomenon was shown both in a growth-inhibition assay as well as in the 51Cr release assay. Macrophage activation was dose- and time-dependent and was potentiated at temperatures above 37 degrees C. Incubation of the macrophages with the active compounds induced characteristic changes in cell morphology as revealed by scanning electron microscopy.