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The role of macrophage activation in chronic inflammation

  • Immunosuppression and Inflammation
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Abstract

The macrophage is the characteristic cell type in chronic inflammatory reactions, in the rheumatoid synovium, as in other sites. When macrophages are activated, considerable synthesis of enzymes and other proteins occurs. Macrophages can be activated by (i) products of activated lymphocytes, (ii) immune complexes and (iii) the complement cleavage product C3b. Among the many consequences of macrophage activation are (i) secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, (ii) cleavage of C3 into C3a, which is cytolytic, and C3b, (iii) production of tissue thromboplastin, a powerful procoagulant, and (iv) formation of polyamine oxidase, which in the presence of appropriate substrates generates factors that lyse or limit the proliferation of tumour cells, lymphocytes and micro-organisms. The relevance of these observations to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory reactions is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cell Pathology, Clinical Research Centre, Watford Road, HA1 3UJ, Harrow, Middlesex, England

    A. C. Allison, J. Ferluga, H. Prydz & H. U. Schorlemmer

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  1. A. C. Allison
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  2. J. Ferluga
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  3. H. Prydz
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  4. H. U. Schorlemmer
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Allison, A.C., Ferluga, J., Prydz, H. et al. The role of macrophage activation in chronic inflammation. Agents and Actions 8, 27–35 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972398

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