Characterization of human breast milk macrophages cytostatic for human cell lines
Balkwill, F.R.; Hogg, N.
Journal of Immunology 123(4): 1451-1456
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 573301 Document Number: 153248
Approximately 40% of the cells in human early lactation milk possessed the characteristics of macrophages, being adherent, phagocytic, .alpha. napthyl acetate esterase positive and possessing C3b [b fragment of complement component 3] and Fc receptors. These cells were also cytostatic for MDA 157, a cell line derived from a pleural effusion of human breast cancer, and HEL 23, a strain of human fetal lung fibroblasts. Investigations into the cytostatic phenomenon indicated that the cytostasis could not be mediated by macrophage-conditioned medium and that very close contact between breast milk macrophages and target cells was required. Cytostasis was not fully effective until 18 h after the initial interaction between macrophages and target cells.