Further studies on the cytoskeleton of resident, stimulated and activated macrophages

The three-dimensional organization of the cytoskeleton of resident, thioglycolate-elicited and activated macrophages was studied by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and by transmission electron microscopy of platinum-carbon replicas of Triton X-100 extracted cells and whole extracted cells critical point dried. Examination of the replicas showed with great clarity the organization of cytoplasmic filaments and microtubules. Cytoskeletal preparations revealed filamentous structures around the centrioles, and dense granules dispersed within the lattice of filaments of activated macrophages. X-ray microanalysis showed that they concentrate osmium. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed filamentous and/or dispersed tubulin, actin, vimentin and myosin-containing structures in the cytoplasm of the macrophages.