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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
Isolation of Mouse Peritoneal Cavity Cells
Published on: January 28, 2010
Non-phagocytic adherent cells as contaminants in peritoneal macrophage cultures from conventionally housed mice
Abstract:
Non-phagocytic adherent cells (NPAC) were found as contaminants in peritoneal macrophage cultures from mice kept in conventional animal houses. The cells were morphologically intermediates between macrophages and small lymphocytes. They showed a vigorous ameboid movement in vitro, and most of the cells detached during the first 24 h in culture. The cells were identified as B-lymphocytes by demonstrating surface immunoglobulin with fluorescence labelled goat-F(ab)2-anti-mouse IgG + IgM antibody, as non-phagocytes by latex beads phagocytosis test, and as non-T cells with an anti-Thy 1 monoclonal antibody. Macrophages were identified with M1/70 monoclonal antibody against the Mac-1 antigen. An increased number of NPAC was found in cultures harvested from the peritoneum of mice kept in conventional houses for one week or more, together with a rise in total peritoneal cell count. The keeping also resulted in increased functional activity of the macrophages, tested by morphology, lososomal enzyme activity and phagocytic functions. The rise in NPAC parallelled the activation of macrophages and may therefore serve as an indication of the functional state of the macrophage cultures.
Insights
Non-phagocytic adherent cells (NPAC), identified as B-lymphocytes, contaminate mouse macrophage cultures. Their increased presence indicates heightened macrophage activity in mice housed conventionally, serving as a potential functional indicator.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Non-phagocytic adherent cells (NPAC) are contaminants in peritoneal macrophage cultures.
- These cells exhibit intermediate morphology between macrophages and lymphocytes and detach readily in culture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify NPAC found in mouse peritoneal macrophage cultures.
- To investigate the relationship between NPAC numbers and macrophage functional activity.
Main Methods:
- Morphological assessment and in vitro cell behavior observation.
- Immunofluorescence staining for surface immunoglobulin (B-lymphocyte marker).
- Phagocytosis assays using latex beads and monoclonal antibodies (anti-Thy 1 for T-cells, M1/70 for Mac-1 antigen on macrophages).
Main Results:
- NPAC were identified as B-lymphocytes, confirmed by surface immunoglobulin and lack of phagocytic or T-cell markers.
- Increased NPAC numbers correlated with longer housing periods in conventional animal facilities.
- Higher NPAC counts paralleled enhanced macrophage functional activity, including morphology, lysosomal enzyme activity, and phagocytosis.
Conclusions:
- Non-phagocytic adherent cells (B-lymphocytes) are common contaminants in mouse peritoneal macrophage cultures.
- The abundance of NPAC serves as a reliable indicator of activated macrophage populations and overall peritoneal environment status.
