[Architectonics of the surface of alveolar macrophages]

The architectonics of the alveolar macrophage surface has been investigated in the raster electron microscope. The material is obtained by means of washing from the lungs of intact noninbred white rats and also 24 h after a single intragastric administration of a cancerogenic agent--nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)--in a toxic dose (30 mg/kg). The alveolar macrophages are studied both as a suspension and also after 30 min of cultivation. The preparations are dried in the air and by the critical point method. When the latter method is used, the architectonics of the alveolar macrophage surface is much richer. Nevertheless, the former method also gives enough information. NDMA administration produces a damaging effect on the surface architectonics and on the character of the macrophages spreading over the glass. The morphological characteristics of the changes in the surface architectonics of the alveolar macrophages can be used to estimate the cytotoxic effect of different harmful factors of the environment.