Different Induction of PD-L1 (CD274) and PD-1 (CD279) Expression in THP-1-Differentiated Types 1 and 2 Macrophages

Background: Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced differentiation of human monocytic THP-1 cells is an experimental model for preparing resting macrophages (M-0) for cell polarization toward the different functional specializations of macrophages. Methods: In this study, we examined the expression of immune checkpoints by using flow cytometry following multicolor staining. The blockade of immune checkpoint by using neutralizing antibodies was performed to assess their role in PMA-induced THP-1-differentiated macrophages. Results: Upon the inducible macrophage differentiation caused by PMA, increased expression levels of CD11b and CD68 were measured and characterized according to their adherent phenotype accompanied by the generation of cellular complexity. While the cell growth rate was abolished post-differentiation, some cells underwent cell death. Notably, we found increases in the expression of programmed cell death protein 1, also known as PD-1 (CD279), and its ligand PD-L1 (CD274), mainly in differentiated M-0 (CD68(+)CD11b(+)) macrophages. However, neutralizing PD-L1/PD-1 neither blocked THP-1 cell differentiation toward macrophages nor inhibited macrophage polarization in M-1 and M-2. In specializing macrophages, a decrease both in CD274 and CD279 was found in M-2. Conclusion: These results revealed the inducible expression of PD-L1/PD-1 in PMA-induced THP-1-differentiated M-0 macrophages followed by a decrease in M-2 macrophages.