Scanning electron microscopy of the subarachnoid space in the dog. V. Macrophages challenged by bacillus Calmette-Guerin. 1977

R E Merchant, and F N Low

Mongrel dogs were anesthetized intraperitoneally with pentobarbitol. One cc of cerebrospinal fluid was drawn through a needle inserted into the cisterna magna and mixed with 1 cc (4-9 million viable BCG organisms) of freeze-dried bacillus Calmette-Guerin. One minute later this mixture was injected by the same needle into the cisterna magna. At 1 and 12 days postinjection, experimental animals were perfused with buffered aldehydes. Samples of the leptomeninges were post-fixed in OsO4 and routinely prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Leptomeningeal samples of untreated, control animals were similarly prepared. Scanning and transmission microscopy confirm that free cells resting on the subarachnoid linings and within the subpial connective tissue space of control animals possess the morphology of macrophages (Malloy and Low, '76). Viable BCG in the subarachnoid space produces a 3-fold increase in the free cell population of the leptomeninges in 24 hours and a 10-fold increase in 12 days. These cells tend to form associations varying from loose aggregates to tight clusters. Approximately 80% of these free cells express macrophage morphology, with abundant plasma-lemmal microappendages and cytoplasmic vacuoles. Transmission electron microscopy of the free cell population of BCG-stimulated animals reveals at least two other members of the leukocyte series on the leptomeningeal linings.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008264 Macrophages The relatively long-lived phagocytic cell of mammalian tissues that are derived from blood MONOCYTES. Main types are PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES; ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES; HISTIOCYTES; KUPFFER CELLS of the liver; and OSTEOCLASTS. They may further differentiate within chronic inflammatory lesions to EPITHELIOID CELLS or may fuse to form FOREIGN BODY GIANT CELLS or LANGHANS GIANT CELLS. (from The Dictionary of Cell Biology, Lackie and Dow, 3rd ed.) Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophages,Macrophage,Macrophages, Monocyte-Derived,Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages,Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophage,Macrophage, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophage, Monocyte-Derived,Macrophages, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophages, Monocyte Derived,Monocyte Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophage
D009163 Mycobacterium bovis The bovine variety of the tubercle bacillus. It is called also Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. bovis. BCG,Calmette-Guerin Bacillus
D010841 Pia Mater The innermost layer of the three meninges covering the brain and spinal cord. It is the fine vascular membrane that lies under the ARACHNOID and the DURA MATER. Mater, Pia,Maters, Pia,Pia Maters
D002449 Cell Aggregation The phenomenon by which dissociated cells intermixed in vitro tend to group themselves with cells of their own type. Aggregation, Cell,Aggregations, Cell,Cell Aggregations
D002462 Cell Membrane The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D004285 Dogs The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065) Canis familiaris,Dog
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013346 Subarachnoid Space The space between the arachnoid membrane and PIA MATER, filled with CEREBROSPINAL FLUID. It contains large blood vessels that supply the BRAIN and SPINAL CORD. Space, Subarachnoid,Spaces, Subarachnoid,Subarachnoid Spaces

Related Publications

R E Merchant, and F N Low
June 1976, The Journal of comparative neurology,
R E Merchant, and F N Low
June 1975, The Journal of comparative neurology,
R E Merchant, and F N Low
September 1974, The Journal of comparative neurology,
R E Merchant, and F N Low
February 1974, The Journal of comparative neurology,
R E Merchant, and F N Low
April 2009, The Journal of urology,
R E Merchant, and F N Low
May 1975, The Journal of comparative neurology,
R E Merchant, and F N Low
October 1977, American journal of clinical pathology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!