LIGHT AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPE STUDY ON THE ORIGIN OF FOA-KURLOFF CELLS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 60  (3) , 276-285
Abstract
Numerous Foa-Kurloff (FK) cells were found in the circulation, spleen, bone marrow, thymus and placenta of guinea pigs under endogenous or exogenous estrogenic stimulation. The origin of these cells is obscure. In the present experiment, the distribution of FK cells in organs other than those stated above was studied following gonadectomy and hexestrol administration in guinea pigs of both sexes for 1 or 10 wk. More FK cells than those expected from the vascularity of the organ were found in the liver and lungs of male and female animals. The number of FK cells in these organs was larger after the long-term treatment with hexestrol and it was accompanied by a significant decrease in the number of Kupffer cells of the liver. The latter observation was in contrast to previous reports of increased numbers of Kupffer cells in the liver of estrogen-receiving mice, a species not producing FK cells. These observations suggested a relation between the 2 types of cells. No transformation of mature Kupffer cells into FK cells was seen with the EM. Other findings suggest that Kupffer cells and FK cells may well be derived from a common precursor of MPS [mononuclear phagocyte system] in the bone marrow.