Changes in macrophage metabolism in mice heavily infected with Hexamita muris

Abstract

The rate of ³H-RNA synthesis is increased in macrophages cultured from mice with severe, and often fatal, infestation with the intestinal flagellate Hexamita muris. The response of the cultured macrophages to foreign antigen is also impaired at such times. The macrophages behave normally when the flagellate is present as a commensal. The pathology of the heavily infested mice is described and the results are discussed with reference to present concepts of the role of the macrophage in immunity.