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Method for the identification of brain macrophages/phagocytic cells in vitro
Author(s) -
Jordan F. L.,
Wynder H. J.,
Booth P. L.,
Thomas W. E.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.490260109
Subject(s) - macrophage , in vitro , phagocytosis , cell , cell type , incubation , cell culture , biology , phagocytic cell , microglia , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , immunology , biochemistry , inflammation , genetics
The use of labelled latex beads, with acute incubation conditions, for the identification of active macrophages in mixed cell cultures based on their phagocytic activity is described. Fluorescent beads provided the best results and selectively labelled active macrophage cell in cultures of blood monocytes. When this technique was applied to primary cultures of rat cerebral cortex, a specific cell type was significantly labelled. This was a small round cell, previously uncharacterized, which in addition to phagocytic activity indicated by the ingestion of beads also possessed macrophage biochemical markers. Thus, the procedure appears useful for phagocytic macrophage identification in vitro, and should be generally applicable to any tissue culture system. Additionally, this procedure can be rendered compatible with cell viability and, therefore, be utilized for long‐term monitoring of macrophages.