Macrophage Migration Inhibition Test using Guinea-pig Macrophages and Human Lymphocytes

Abstract

THE capillary macrophage migration inhibition test^1,2, one of the few available satisfactory methods for the in vitro study of delayed hypersensitivity, has largely remained an animal experimental technique, for a ready source of human macrophages has not been available. The usefulness of the method has thus been limited. Attempts by Lawrence and David³ to use human, blood cells were fraught with technical difficulties and therefore apparently abandoned. The subsequent isolation of migration inhibition factor^4,5 diverted attention to the study of its properties. For example, when the factor was obtained from sensitive human lymphocytes it could inhibit guinea-pig macrophages⁶, but exploitation of this property did not increase significantly the study of human delayed hypersensitivity. The absence of sufficient macrophages (monocytes) in human peripheral blood for the test to be carried out successfully was overcome by culturing lymph node cells for 72 h and then performing the usual capillary migration test⁷. None of these modifications has had wide application because of numerous practical difficulties brought on by further complication of an already difficult technique. The case of peripheral blood cells⁸ failed to stand up to critical testing⁹. We wish to make a preliminary report of a successful method for the capillary migration inhibition test using guinea-pig macrophages and human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Fuller details of the technique, in view of its possible wide application in the study of human disease, will be published later.