• Citer

Schistosomiasis and in vitro transdifferentiation of murine peritoneal macrophages into fibroblastic cells

par Godoy, M.;Geuskens, Maurice ;Van Marck, Eric;Borojevic, Radovan;Van Gansen, Paulette
Référence Parasitology research, 76, 2, page (150-161)
Publication Publié, 1989

Article révisé par les pairs

• Détails
• Contenu

Résumé :

We developed a method for avoiding contamination by fibroblasts when cultures of peritoneal cells are initiated. Macrophages were identified by immunogold detection [light microscope, transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopes] of membrane antigens (Mac-1+, Thy-1,2-), non-specific esterase activity and ultrastructural features (TEM). As compared with controls, the yield of peritoneal macrophages was 2- and 12-fold higher, respectively, in acutely and chronically infected mice. In all, 30 'chronic', 18 'acute' and 18 control cultures were followed up. At a given cell-density seeding, the decline of control, 'acute' and 'chronic' cultures starts at about day 10, 15, and 27, respectively. In 'chronic' cultures only, fibroblast-like cells appear from day 6 onwards; their number increases with time. Cells showing characters intermediary between macrophages and fibroblasts were observed. We suggest that fibroblast-like cells result from the in vitro transdifferentiation of a limited number of in vivo committed macrophages.