Potentiation by human serum of anti-inflammatory cytokine production by human macrophages in response to apoptotic cells

Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages leads to the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby preventing inflammation. In this study, we demonstrate that human serum potentiates the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 and TGF-beta, by PMA-treated THP-1 cells and human monocyte-derived macrophages in response to apoptotic cells, which results in great suppression of the production of proinflammatory cytokine IL-8. Human IgG but not its F(ab)'(2) suppressed the IL-8 production. Pretreatment of macrophages but not apoptotic cells with human serum or human IgG caused the suppression, suggesting that immune complex may not be formed with apoptotic cells. When FcgammaRI was specifically down-modulated by a monoclonal antibody, M22, the potentiating effects of human serum and human IgG on the anti-inflammatory cytokine production and the suppressive effects on IL-8 production were completely abolished. Thus, human IgG and FcgammaRI appear to be critical in leading to the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines by macrophage in response to apoptotic cells.