A simple method for purification of human monocytes and evaluation of IgG Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis.

A simple and reproducible, although not completely original method for purification of human monocytes and evaluation of IgG Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis has been set up and is described here. The purity of monocyte preparations obtained by the use of this method is quite elevated (over 95%), but the yield, although satisfactory for this purpose, is rather poor. As to the test of phagocytosis, a time-response curve using opsonized sheep erythrocytes showed that 10-min incubation gives the best and most reproducible results. A peroxidase reaction is suggested in order to obtain a better evaluation of erythrocytes within monocytes. The test has been proved suitable for evaluation of Fc-receptor function of monocytes in primary biliary cirrhosis, an immunological liver disease, and might be also useful in immune complexes-mediated conditions.