Expansion of the liver-associated macrophage system in systemic lupus erythematosus-prone NZB/W mice

Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by profound changes of the immune system. We report on alterations of the macrophage system in the murine NZB/W model of this disease. A greatly increased number of mature macrophages was isolated from the liver of NZB/W mice as compared to BALB/c mice and several other inbred strains used as healthy controls. In addition, the macrophage precursor compartment in the liver of NZB/W mice was expanded severalfold as measured by proliferation of light-fraction nonadherent nonparenchymal cells in response to colony-stimulating factors. Functional properties of the macrophages isolated from anatomic sites of the lupus-prone mice were tested. Production of monokines by macrophages from liver, spleen, and peritoneal cavity, calculated on a per cell basis, was inthe same range as in several healthy control strains tested.