ISOLATION OF PHAGOCYTIC CELLS FROM RAT RENAL GLOMERULUS

Abstract

A method is described for the dissociation of rat glomerular cells in vitro. Isolated endothelial cells were characterized by the persistence of fenestrae. Mesangial cells showed a variety of morphologic appearances; if dissociation was performed after an i.v. injection of ferritin, such cells were identified by the presence of large ferritin-filled vacuoles. Intact epithelial cells were rarely seen, presumably because they did not survive the separation procedure. In culture, a high proportion of cells adhered to glass surfaces, were phagocytic, and had labeled heavily in vivo with ferritin; they were considered to be mesangial in origin. Receptors for immunoglobulin (Fc) and complement (C3) were also detected in such cells after 24 h in culture, but not immediately after dissociation. The findings suggest that a population of isolated glomerular cells, probably comprising mainly mesengial cells, is highly phagocytic and has the potential to develop Fc and C3 receptors. This technique offers a useful approach for the delineation of glomerular cell properties and functions.