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Updated: Apr 21, 2026
Depletion and Reconstitution of Macrophages in Mice
Published on: August 1, 2012
Clodronate treatment significantly depletes macrophages in chickens
Amber M Kameka1, Siamak Haddadi1, Fathima Jesreen Jamaldeen1
1Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Health Research Innovation Center 2C51, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta (Kameka, Haddadi, Jamaldeen, Moinul, He, Nawazdeen, Bonfield, Abdul-Careem); Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (van Rooijen); and Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Sharif).
Abstract:
Macrophages function as phagocytes and antigen-presenting cells in the body. As has been demonstrated in mammals, administration of clodronate [dichloromethylene bisphosphonate (Cl2MBP)] encapsulated liposomes results in depletion of macrophages. Although this compound has been used in chickens, its effectiveness in depleting macrophages has yet to be fully determined. Here, we show that a single administration of clodronate liposomes to chickens results in a significant depletion of macrophages within the spleen and lungs of chickens up to 4 d post-treatment. This finding suggests that, in order to obtain depletion of macrophages in chickens for greater than 5 d, it is necessary to administer clodronate liposomes 4 d apart. The study also showed that 2 treatments of clodronate liposomes at 4-day intervals resulted in the depletion of macrophages for up to 10 d. The findings of the present study will encourage more precise studies to be done on the potential roles of macrophages in immune responses and in the pathogenesis of microbial infections in chickens.
Insights
Clodronate liposomes effectively deplete macrophages in chickens for up to 4 days. Repeated administration every 4 days extends this depletion to 10 days, aiding further immunological research.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Macrophages are critical immune cells, acting as phagocytes and antigen-presenting cells.
- Clodronate liposomes are known to deplete macrophages in mammals.
- The efficacy of clodronate liposomes for macrophage depletion in chickens requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effectiveness and duration of macrophage depletion in chickens using clodronate liposomes.
- To establish optimal dosing intervals for sustained macrophage depletion in avian models.
Main Methods:
- Administration of clodronate liposomes to chickens.
- Analysis of macrophage populations in spleen and lungs at various time points post-treatment.
- Evaluation of single and repeated dosing regimens.
Main Results:
- A single dose of clodronate liposomes significantly depleted macrophages in chicken spleen and lungs for up to 4 days.
- Administering clodronate liposomes every 4 days resulted in macrophage depletion lasting up to 10 days.
- Repeated treatments are necessary for prolonged macrophage depletion in chickens.
Conclusions:
- Clodronate liposomes are effective for transient macrophage depletion in chickens.
- A 4-day interval between administrations is required for sustained macrophage depletion.
- These findings facilitate future research on the role of macrophages in chicken immunity and disease.
