[Animal experiment]-Flow cytometry analysis of the phenotypic characteristics of PMA-induced THP-1 differentiation into macrophages

  Objective: To use flow cytometry to reveal the differentiation of THP-1 cell-derived macrophages induced by PMA alone.

  Method: First, PMA was used to stimulate THP-1 cells to differentiate into macrophages, and then LPS, IFN-γ and IL-6 were used to induce cell transformation into M1 type macrophages. IL-4, IL-13 and -6 were used to induce cell production M2 type macrophages. The morphological changes of the three types of cells were observed under a microscope, and the difference in the expression of the main CD molecules in each cell was detected by flow cytometry.

  Result: When THP-1 differentiates into macrophages, they become adherent growth, and the cell morphology becomes relatively regular round or oval. M1 and M2 cells are irregular, with obvious cell processes and larger cell sizes. The expression of CD molecules on the surface of macrophages related to the antigen presentation function is low, and most of them are negative, but the expression of CD molecules on the surface of M1 and M2 cells is high.

  Conclusion: The ability of the macrophages differentiated from THP-1 cells to be stimulated only by PMA is basically in a dormant state, and the antigen presentation ability is weak.