The Journal of surgical research
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In the tumor-bearing host, depression of cell-mediated immunity has been well-demonstrated, but little is known about alterations in macrophage functions. We hypothesized that the presence of a tumor may cause functional suppression of peritoneal macrophage and splenic macrophage functions, perhaps due to prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide. C57 BL/6 mice (n = 18) were injected subcutaneously with Lewis lung carcinoma 3 tumor. ⋯ In the tumor-bearing host, peritoneal macrophages have significantly decreased accessory and effector functions. Splenic macrophages demonstrate decreased accessory but enhanced effector functions. PGE2, superoxide, and nitric oxide appear to be important mechanisms of altered macrophage function in the tumor-bearing host; modifying their cellular production may enhance host defense.