Related Experiment Videos
Pulmonary intravascular macrophages in deer
L Carrasco1, J C Gómez-Villamandos, M J Bautista
1Departamento de Anatomía y Patológica Comparadas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Spain.
Abstract:
Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) have been found in the septal capillaries of deer lungs. Lung samples from adult deer were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde, and then routinely processed for electron microscopy. The main features of the PIMs were the presence of tubular invaginations in the membrane (micropinocytosis vermiformis), phagosomes, and junctions with endothelial cells. A mean of 4.4 of these junctions was recorded per cell. They comprised segments ranging from 67 to 289 nm in length, where the plasma membranes were separated by spaces from 10 to 25 nm wide. In these areas the cytoplasm underlying the membranes showed evidence of increased electron density. When PIMs were compared with alveolar macrophages, it could be seen that although the PIMs were more numerous (more than twice), they were also smaller than the alveolar macrophages (47.625 versus 101.260 microns2 respectively.
Insights
Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) were identified in deer lung capillaries. These cells, distinct from alveolar macrophages, exhibit unique structures and form junctions with endothelial cells.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Cell Biology
- Pulmonary Research
Background:
- Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) are specialized immune cells residing within lung capillaries.
- Their presence and specific ultrastructural features in deer have not been extensively documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the ultrastructure of pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) in adult deer lungs.
- To compare PIMs with alveolar macrophages in terms of morphology and abundance.
Main Methods:
- Lung tissue samples from adult deer were utilized.
- Standard electron microscopy techniques, including glutaraldehyde fixation, were employed for ultrastructural analysis.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) were observed in deer lung septal capillaries.
- Key features included micropinocytosis vermiformis, phagosomes, and numerous junctions with endothelial cells (mean 4.4/cell).
- PIMs were more numerous (over twice) but smaller (47.625 µm²) than alveolar macrophages (101.260 µm²).
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) possess distinct ultrastructural characteristics in deer.
- These findings contribute to understanding lung immune cell heterogeneity and function in cervids.