Macrophage functions in high and low cancer incidence strains of mice. A comparative study

Various functions of macrophage derived from different age groups of SJL/J mice, a high-cancer-incidence inbred strain, and BALB/c or C57B1/6 mice, two low-cancer-incidence strains, were studied and compared. SJL/J macrophages derived from 2-4 month-old mice were functionally hyperactive. The cells demonstrated elevated acid phosphatase levels and enhanced phagocytic, bacteriostatic, and cytotoxic activities when compared to BALB/c or C57B1/6 macrophages derived from mice of the same age. Bacteriostasis and two lysosomal enzyme activities were still potentiated in SJL/J macrophages derived from 12-17 month-old mice, compared to BALB/c mice, whereas macrophages from 12-17 month-old SJL/J mice, with or without tumors, demonstrated depressed macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity as well as a functional defect in their ability to handle Shigella antigen.