title: Ultrastructural observation on macrophage-lymphocyte interactions in semen from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. takers.
abstract: Sixty-nine specimens from Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook.f. (TWH) users were investigated by electron microscopy. No macrophages were demonstrated in the 21 specimens collected prior to the administration of TWH. However, it was found in 23 out of the 48 semen specimens obtained following the TWH administration. The macrophages were functionally active as shown by the presence of a large number of cytoplasmic processes and pseudopodia on the surface, and primary and secondary lysosomes in the cytoplasm. The macrophages phagocytized sperm debris and degenerated or dead spermatids with formation of specific phagosomes. Around those macrophages, lymphocytes were commonly noted. The cytoplasmic processes of the two cell types could come into contact or even fuse with each other, leading to tight junction-like structure; in some of the contacts, the plasma membranes were found dissolved so as to form direct cytoplasmic linkage.
authors.affiliation: Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: X X
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Xiu
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: X D
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: G X
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Lei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects; D002459:Cell Fusion / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010587:Phagocytosis; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D029757:Tripterygium
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents