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Development and Identification of a Novel Subpopulation of Human Neutrophil-derived Giant Phagocytes In Vitro
Published on: January 25, 2017
THE PRODUCTION OF FOREIGN BODY GIANT CELLS IN VITRO
1Department of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Foreign body giant cells form in vitro when foreign objects are added to chick embryo spleen cultures. These cells arise from the fusion of wandering mononuclear cells, not connective tissue cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Foreign body giant cells (FBGCs) are multinucleated cells involved in immune responses to foreign materials.
- Their in vitro formation and cellular origins are not fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro formation of foreign body giant cells.
- To identify the cellular precursors of these giant cells in chick embryo spleen cultures.
Main Methods:
- Culturing chick embryo spleen cells in vitro.
- Introducing foreign materials like lycopodium spores and cotton fibers.
- Microscopic observation of cell fusion and giant cell formation.
Main Results:
- Foreign body giant cells were successfully produced in vitro by adding foreign objects to spleen cultures.
- FBGCs formed through the fusion of large mononuclear wandering cells, identified as likely endothelial and pulp cells.
- Connective tissue cells were not observed to participate in FBGC formation.
Conclusions:
- Chick embryo spleen cultures provide a model for studying foreign body giant cell formation.
- The study identifies specific mononuclear cell types as precursors for FBGCs.
- The cover-glass in such cultures can act as a foreign body, inducing giant cell formation.

