Endocytotic activity in epitheloid and Langhans' giant cells. Tracer studies with ferritin in the tubulointerstitial (anti-TBM) nephritis model.
In the experimental tubulo-interstitial (anti-basement membrane) nephritis in the rat, electron microscopic studies after the in vivo microinjection of native ferritin in areas of granulomatous inflammation near the surface of the kidney indicate that epitheloid and multinucleate Langhans' giant cells are capable of endocytosis and particularly of micropinocytosis. This suggests the possibility that endocytotic activities as well as secretion phenomena are important in the immune defense mechanisms linked with these "specifically" developed cells.
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004705:Endocytosis; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005293:Ferritins; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN
D005293:Ferritins