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Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Development and Identification of a Novel Subpopulation of Human Neutrophil-derived Giant Phagocytes In Vitro
10:05

Development and Identification of a Novel Subpopulation of Human Neutrophil-derived Giant Phagocytes In Vitro

Published on: January 25, 2017

The origin of multinucleate giant cells in myeloma kidney from mononuclear phagocytes: an ultrastructural study

J M Papadimitriou, L R Matz

    Pathology
    |October 1, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    Multinucleate giant cells in myeloma kidney originate from mononuclear phagocytes, not renal tubular cells. These cells, along with macrophages, attempt to ingest cast material during endocytosis.

    Area of Science:

    • Nephrology
    • Pathology
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Multiple myeloma can cause kidney damage, known as myeloma kidney.
    • The characteristic multinucleate giant cells in myeloma kidney have an unclear origin.

    Observation:

    • Ultrastructural examination of myeloma kidney biopsies was performed using electron microscopy.
    • Structural relationships between multinucleate giant cells and macrophage polykarya were investigated.
    • The interaction of these cells with cast material was observed.

    Findings:

    • Multinucleate giant cells in myeloma kidney show structural similarities to macrophage polykarya.
    • No resemblance was found between these giant cells and renal tubular cells.
    • Both multinucleate giant cells and mononuclear phagocytes attempt to phagocytose cast material, which becomes fibrillar during this process.

    Implications:

    • The findings suggest that multinucleate giant cells in myeloma kidney are derived from mononuclear phagocytes.
    • This clarifies the cellular origin of a key feature of myeloma kidney pathology.
    • Understanding the origin and function of these cells may inform future therapeutic strategies.

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