Binding, internalization and degradation of colony-stimulating factor by peritoneal exudate macrophages

Iodinated colony-stimulating factor produced by L-cells (¹²⁵I-CSF-1) binds specifically to murine peritoneal exudate macrophages. At 37°C, the cell-bound ¹²⁵I-CSF-1 was internalized and degraded very rapidly, with the appearance of radioactive iodotyrosine in the medium. At 0°C, the cell-bound ¹²⁵I-CSF-1 was not internalized and degraded, nor did it dissociate from the membrane. The internalization and degradation at 37°C could be blocked or reduced by the presence of phenylglyoxal, methylamine and NH₄Cl. The chemical nature of the CSF-1 binding site is polypeptide as judged by its sensitivity to trypsin treatment. After the binding and degradation of unlabeled CSF-1, the exudate cells were no longer able to rebind freshly added ¹²⁵I-CSF-1, indicating the removal of CSF-1 binding site. The binding capacity of these cells, however, could be restored by prolonged incubation at 37°C but not at 0°C in culture medium containing fetal calf serum.