Visual observations of chemotaxis and chemotropism in mouse macrophages

Immunobiology. 1982 Apr;161(3-4):376-84. doi: 10.1016/S0171-2985(82)80095-8.

Abstract

Locomotion of mouse macrophages in relation to spores of Candida albicans in mouse serum was studied by time-lapse cinematography using thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages, resident peritoneal macrophages, and a murine macrophage line (J774 B10). Thioglycollate-elicited macrophages and the cell line responded well to the spores, but very few of the resident macrophages showed any response. The macrophages showed chemotactic responses with straight-line locomotion towards spores. Thioglycollate-elicited macrophages, which were frequently spread on glass, could also respond to spores 20-30 micrometers away by chemotropism, i.e. extension of a large hyaline veil to engulf the spore without prior displacement of the body of the cell. Engulfed spores were then pulled into the organelle-rich cell centre. In this population, there was no incompatibility between spread morphology and motile behaviour. In contrast, J774 B10 did not spread and moved with a rounded morphology and with a very small anterior hyaline veil towards the gradient source. Macrophages moved more slowly than peripheral blood neutrophils and monocytes. The mean speed of thioglycollate-elicited and cell line macrophages was 3-4 micrometers per minute. The few motile resident peritoneal macrophages moved even more slowly, i.e. ca 2 micrometers per minute.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Candida albicans / physiology
  • Cell Movement
  • Chemotaxis*
  • Cineradiography
  • Macrophages / classification
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Spores, Fungal / physiology
  • Thioglycolates / pharmacology

Substances

  • Thioglycolates