Using 100-µm-thick paraffin sections stained by F4/80 antibody, the three-dimensional surface morphology of macrophages in fetal and adult livers was examined by conventional light microscope equipped with a computer-controlled z-axis stepping motor. Hematopoietic macrophages in fetal livers were located in the center of erythroid cell clusters, forming cell sockets which consisted of two different kinds of projections. The primary cytoplasmic processes were membranous projections and the secondary processes were finger-like projections extending from the primary processes. Erythroids in the cell sockets were linearly arranged on the macrophage surface. Adult sinusoidal macrophages possessed a few pseudopod-like processes, ridge-like profiles and numerous ruffle or spike-like processes, and cell contact with neighboring macrophages could be recognized. Compared to confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, this study provided information about cell surface structures at reasonably low cost, although the resolution was limited in z axis due to the stepping interval.

Keywords:
Central macrophage, Sinusoidal macrophage, Three-dimensional reconstruction, F4/80, Liver, Paraffin section
1.
Araki, N., T. Hatae, A. Furukawa, J.A. Swanson (2003) Phosphoinositide-3-kinase-independent contractile activities associated with Fcgamma-receptor-mediated phagocytosis and macropinocytosis in macrophages. J Cell Sci 116: 247–257.
2.
Asano, H., M. Kobayashi, T. Hoshino (1991) Ultrastructural study of a cytoplasmic bridge connecting a pair of erythroblasts in mice. Cell Tissue Res 264: 215–219.
3.
Bessis, M. (1973) Living Blood Cells and Their Ultrastructure. Berlin, Springer.
4.
Bouwens, L. (1988) Structural and functional aspects of Kupffer cells (review). Revis Biol Celular 16: 69–94.
5.
Dormans, J.A., P.J. Rombout, H. van Loveren (1990) Surface morphology and morphometry of rat alveolar macrophages after ozone exposure. J Toxicol Environ Health 31: 53–70.
6.
Ghoddusi, M., W.R. Kelly (2004) Ultrastructure of in situ perfusion-fixed avian liver, with special reference to structure of the sinusoids. Microsc Res Tech 65: 101–111.
7.
Gordon, S., P.R. Crocker, L. Morris, S.H. Lee, V.H. Perry, D.A. Hume (1986) Localization and function of tissue macrophages. Ciba Found Symp 118: 54–67.
8.
Gordon, S., L. Lawson, S. Rabinowitz, P.R. Crocker, L. Morris, V.H. Perry (1992) Antigen markers of macrophage differentiation in murine tissues. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 181: 1–37.
9.
Gregory, C.D., A. Devitt (1999) CD14 and apoptosis. Apoptosis 4: 11–20.
10.
Haidl, I.D., W.A. Jefferies (1996) The macrophage cell surface glycoprotein F4/80 is a highly glycosylated proteoglycan. Eur J Immunol 26: 1139–1146.
11.
Hoppe, A.D., J.A. Swanson (2004) Cdc42, Rac1, and Rac2 display distinct patterns of activation during phagocytosis. Mol Biol Cell 15: 3509–3519.
12.
Massol, P., P. Montcourrier, J.C. Guillemot, P. Chavrier (1998) Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis requires CDC42 and Rac1. EMBO J 17: 6219–6229.
13.
McCuskey, R.S., P.A. McCuskey (1990) Fine structure and function of Kupffer cells. J Electron Microsc Tech 14: 237–246.
14.
Orenstein, J.M., E. Shelton (1977) Membrane phenomena accompanying erythrophagocytosis. A scanning electron microscope study. Lab Invest 36: 363–374.
15.
Polliack, A., C. Hershko (1978) Surface features and ultrastructure of isolated Kupffer cells as seen by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Blood Cells 4: 301–318.
16.
Pulford, K.A., A. Sipos, J.L. Cordell, W.P. Stross, D.Y. Mason (1990) Distribution of the CD68 macrophage/myeloid associated antigen. Int Immunol 2: 973–980.
17.
Ross, J.A., M.J. Auger (2002) The biology of the macrophage: Macrophage functions; in Burke B., C.E. Lewis (ed): The Macrophage, ed 2, New York, Oxford University Press, pp 32–48.
18.
Sadahira, Y., T. Yoshino, Y. Monobe (1995) Very late activation antigen 4-vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 interaction is involved in the formation of erythroblastic islands. J Exp Med 181: 411–415.
19.
Sasaki, K., H. Iwatsuki (1997) Origin and fate of the central macrophages of erythroblastic islands in the fetal and neonatal mouse liver. Microsc Res Tech 39: 398–405.
20.
Sasaki, K., Y. Sonoda (2000) Histometrical and three-dimensional analyses of liver hematopoiesis in the mouse embryo. Arch Histol Cytol 63: 137–146.
21.
Soni, S., S. Bala, B. Gwynn, K.E. Sahr, L.L. Peters, M. Hanspal (2006) Absence of erythroblast macrophage protein (Emp) leads to failure of erythroblast nuclear extrusion. J Biol Chem 281: 20181–20189.
22.
Sonoda, Y., K. Sasaki, M. Suda, C. Itano (2001) Ultrastructural studies of hepatoblast junctions and liver hematopoiesis of the mouse embryo (Japanese with English abstract). Kaibogaku Zasshi 76: 473–482.
23.
Taylor, P.R., L. Martinez-Pomares, M. Stacey, H.H. Lin, G.D. Brown, S. Gordon (2005) Macrophage receptors and immune recognition. Annu Rev Immunol 23: 901–944.
24.
Wang, X.Q., Y. Sonoda, K. Sasaki, M. Suda, A. Shindo, H. Iwatsuki (1998) Scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies on sinusoidal endothelium in the embryonic, neonatal and adult mouse liver. Kawasaki Med J 24: 69–77.
25.
Ziegler-Heitbrock, H.W., R.J. Ulevitch (1993) CD14: cell surface receptor and differentiation marker. Immunol Today 14: 121–125.
© 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel
2007
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.