Rat Alveolar Macrophage Cell Line-NR8383

Rat Alveolar Macrophage Cell Line-NR8383 originated from normal rat alveolar macrophages obtained via lung lavage. These cells were cultured for approximately 8-9 months in the presence of gerbil lung cell conditioned medium, after which exogenous growth factors were no longer required. NR8383 cells were cloned and subcloned from single cells using limiting dilution, and further subcloned three times in soft agar. The cells exhibit characteristic macrophage properties, including phagocytosis of zymosan and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, non-specific esterase activity, Fc receptors, oxidative degradation, and the secretion of IL-1, TGF-β, and IL-6, with a reproducible response to exogenous growth factors. NR8383 cells respond to bleomycin by secreting TGF-β precursor, and TGF-β mRNA expression also increases with bleomycin stimulation. The cells are sensitive to endotoxin, with LPS levels of 1-10 ng/mL inhibiting proliferation by 50%. Even at levels as low as 0.001 mg/mL, LPS inhibition is non-toxic and reversible in subsequent processes. The NR8383 cell line provides a homogeneous source of highly responsive alveolar macrophages, suitable for in vitro studies of macrophage-related activities.