Effect of Polynucleotides (Poly I·C and Poly A·U) on Protein, RNA, and Polysomal Synthesis in Rabbit and Human Lung, and Rat and Human Peritoneal Macrophages

Abstract

The many functions of macrophages guarantee them a varied repertory of synthesized proteins. Examples are interferon (Finkelstein et al., 1968; Smith and Wagner, 1967), endogenous pyrogens (Hahn et al., 1967), proteins of the complement system (Stecher et al., 1967), other serum proteins (Stecher and Thorbecke, 1967), and enzymes, of which Pearsall and Weiser (1970) have documented 13 classes for rabbit peritoneal macrophages and 16 classes for rabbit lung alveolar macrophages. Our interest in detailed mechanisms of protein synthesis in macrophages is based on their role in afferent immunity, which has been adequately reviewed (McMaster, 1953; Pearsall and Weiser, 1970). Other presentations at this Symposium will explore aspects of antigen-processing, the effects of polynucleotides on antibody-enhancing properties of macrophage-containing cell populations, and the role of the RNA-containing moieties from macrophages in antibody production. Our work on protein synthesis in rabbit and human lung macrophages has been published in abstract form (Morrell, 1969 a; Morrell, 1970). The use of polynucleotides in our system was suggested by the observation (to be reviewed) that the immunizing antigen PPD stimulated RNA, polysomal, and protein synthesis in vitro in rabbit lung macrophages, and further, that labeled PPD bound to polysomes during their enhanced activity.