Repopulation of macrophages in popliteal lymph nodes of mice after liposome-mediated depletion

• Published in: Journal of leukocyte biology 1990-03, Vol.47 (3), p.251-257
• Main Authors: Delemarre, F.G.A., Kors, N., Kraal, G., Rooijen, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Clodronic Acid - pharmacology; dichloromethylene diphosphonate; Diphosphonates - pharmacology; elimination; Female; Freund's Adjuvant - pharmacology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Immunobiology; Liposomes - pharmacology; Lymph Nodes - cytology; Lymphoid organs: ontogeny, organization, homing phenomenon; Macrophages - drug effects; Macrophages - physiology; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred DBA; mononuclear phagocyte system; multilamellar vesicles
• ISSN: 0741-5400; 1938-3673
• DOI: 10.1002/jlb.47.3.251

Macrophages lining the subcapsular sinus (SCS) and those located in the medulla of popliteal lymph nodes (PLN) of mice were eliminated after subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of dichloromethylene diphosphonate (CI2MDP)‐containing liposomes. No effect of liposome‐entrapped CI2MDP could be seen on nonphagocytic cells, e.g., interdigitating cells (IDC) and B‐ and T‐lymphocytes. One month after injection the eliminated subsets of macrophages were still absent. After 2 mo a small number of macrophages had reappeared along the SCS and in the medulla of the PLN of a few animals. Complete repopulation of the PLN with macrophages was observed only after 5 mo. This extremely long repopulation time could be shortened drastically by local administration of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). A small number of macrophages reappeared along the SCS and in the medulla 1 wk after FCA and after 3 wk the repopulation of the PLN with macrophages was complete. Such rapid repopulation of macrophages was not achieved after s.c. injection of paraffin oil or paratyphoid vaccine. These results indicate that the normal rate of influx of mononuclear phagocytes into the PLN is low, but that it can be sped up after administration of FCA.