Complement proteins and macrophages. II. The secretion of factor B by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages.

The secretion of factor B by mouse peritoneal macrophages was found to be enhanced following in vivo or in vitro stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The intravenous administration of LPS to mice of various strains caused an increased release of factor B but not the release of acid phosphatase by the peritoneal macrophages obtained from the stimulated mice. In vitro stimulation of cultured macrophages with LPS resulted in an enhanced secretion of both factor B and acid phosphatase. The dose-dependent augmentation of factor B secretion by LPS was found in the macrophages from LPS-responsive C3H/HeN mice, whereas the macrophages from LPS-unresponsive C3H/HeJ mice did not respond to either phenol-extracted LPS or butanol-extracted LPS. The ability of LPS to cause the enhancement of factor B secretion by macrophages was abolished by alkali or acid treatment of LPS, indicating that its lipid A part was responsible for the observed effect.