ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF KUPFFER-CELL PHAGOCYTOSIS BLOCKADE INDUCED BY GADOLINIUM CHLORIDE

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 61  (6) , 624-630
Abstract
The cellular basis of Kupffer-cell phagocytosis blockade induced by gadolinium chloride was studied in rats. Investigations with heterologous erythrocytes labeled with 51Cr show that the gadolinium chloride-induced reticuloendothelial blockade is due to the depressed phagocytic activity of the Kupffer cells. Light-microscopic studies indicate that as a result of the action of gadolinium chloride, the impaired Kupffer-cell phagocytosis is observed not only in normal, nonactivated Kupffer cells, but also in those activated with a reticuloendothelial stimulant, Zymosan. EM investigations suggest that the failure of the Kupffer cells to incorporate C during the reticuloendothelial blockade induced by this rare earth metal chloride is due to defects in the surface attachment and in the engulfment phases of phagocytosis.