THE PHAGOCYTOSIS OF TUMOR CELLS

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Abstract
The phagocytosis of tumor cells by peritoneal macrophages from mice was demonstrated in vitro following opsonization with isoantibody. Phagocytosis of tumor cells occurred in the presence of isoimmune serum prepared in either H-2 compatible or H-2 incompatible strains. After ingestion, the tumor cells were destroyed by the engulfing macrophages. Normal mouse serum contained nonspecific factors that enhanced phagocytosis in the presence of specific isoimmune serum. Peritoneal macrophages from immunized animals had no inherent, specific ability to phagocytize tumor cells in vitro, apart from that due to the presence of humoral antibody in the medium; Their ability to phagocytize tumor cells was abolished by washing the peritoneal cells, but was restored by the addition of a medium containing isoantibody. Peritoneal macrophages collected from animals that had been given an i.p. injection of starch phagocytized tumor cells in greater numbers than did peritoneal macrophages from normal animals. In contrast to viable tumor cells or cells killed by prolonged storage, tumor cells killed by methanol or heat were phagocytized in the absence of isoantibody.