Heterogeneity of rat liver and spleen macrophages in gadolinium chloride-induced elimination and repopulation.
Blockade of phagocytosis and selective elimination of macrophages (m phi s) are generally accepted procedures for gaining knowledge about the function of m phi s in vivo. This study demonstrates that intravenous injection of gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) not only blocks phagocytosis by rat liver m phi s (Kupffer cells) but also selectively eliminates the large m phi s situated in the periportal zone of the liver acinus. Repopulation of m phi s starts at 4 days after injection. During repopulation, m phi s are less vulnerable to GdCl3. When repopulation is complete, the new m phi s show the same vulnerability as the original ones. Splenic m phi s are less vulnerable to GdCl3 because only some of the red pulp m phi s transiently disappear. The white pulp m phi s are not affected. Repopulation occurs sooner than in liver. These results indicate that administration of GdCl3 is a suitable approach to studying the in vivo function of large Kupffer cells.
Hardonk
M J
MJ
Department of Pathology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Dijkhuis
F W
FW
Hulstaert
C E
CE
Koudstaal
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism; D002244:Carbon / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002244:Carbon; D005682:Gadolinium; C038958:gadolinium chloride