A new simple multi-well plate-based assay for monocyte differentiation using human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells

A new simple multi-well plate-based assay to determine monocyte differentiation-inducing activity was developed. It is based on the increase of macrophage adherence after the induction of monocyte differentiation. The assay was conducted using a human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, treated with either 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate or cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ. This method is sensitive and easy to perform, especially in case of analyzing a large number of samples.