We used the macrophage-like tumor cell line P388D1 to test whether interleukin-1 (IL-1) stimulate differentiation of osteoclast-like progenitors. Recombinant human interleukin-1 (rhIL-1) alpha inhit ited cell growth in a dose-dependent fashion. Incubation of the cells with rhIL-1 alpha resulted in adherence stimulation of non-specific esterase activity, and increased Fc receptor expression. These results suggest th possibility that IL-1 may be involved in the differentiation of osteoclast progenitors and thus may be an irr portant local factor in the mechanism of bone resorption.