Elimination of phagocytic cells in the spleen after intravenous injection of liposomeencapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate

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Abstract
It is shown ultrastructurally that intravenously injected and liposome-entrapped dichloromethylene diphosphonate (DMDP) causes marked damage to marginal zone macrophages in the mouse spleen which finally results in the elimination of these cells. Marginal zone lympohocytes are also affected by this treatment, probably as a result of action of the enzymes released by dying macrophages. Marginal zone macrophages largely disappear, 24 h after i.v. injection, leaving an openmeshed reticulum in which a few viable and necrotic lymphocytes are present. The proposed method to eliminate macrophages for some time may be used to study functional aspects of these cells in vivo.