Description
The cells were cultured in the presence of gerbil lung cell conditioned medium for approximately 8 to 9 months.Subsequently the requirement for exogenous growth factors was lost.The cells exhibit characteristics of macrophage cells.Phagocytosis of zymosan and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, nonspecific esterase activity, Fc receptors, oxidative burst,IL-1, TNF beta and IL-6 secretion, and replicative response to exogenous growth factors.The cells respond to appropriate microbial, particulate or soluble stimuli with phagocytosis and killing.NR8383 cells respond to bleomycin by secreting latent transforming growth factor(TGF beta).Stimulation with bleomycin also increases TGF beta mRNA expression.These cells are sensitive to endotoxin.LPS levels of 1 to 10 ng/mL inhibit replication by 50%.LPS inhibition is nontoxic and reversible even after levels up to 0.001mg/mL for extended periods