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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Isolation of Mouse Peritoneal Cavity Cells
Published on: January 29, 2010
Mouse strain differences in resident peritoneal cells: a flow cytometric analysis
M F Festing1, R Legg, T Eydmann
1Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, Carshalton, Surrey, UK.
Insights
Mouse strain significantly impacts peritoneal cell composition and function. Macrophage-to-lymphocyte ratios and phagocytosis vary widely, necessitating consideration in experimental design using resident peritoneal cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Resident peritoneal cells play a crucial role in immune surveillance and response within the peritoneal cavity.
- Variability in immune cell populations between mouse strains can significantly influence experimental outcomes.
- Understanding baseline cellular differences is essential for reproducible immunological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and compare the cellular composition and phagocytic capacity of resident peritoneal cells across eight different mouse strains.
- To identify significant inter-strain variations in key immune cell populations and their functional parameters.
- To provide data that aids researchers in selecting appropriate mouse strains for studies involving resident peritoneal cells.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was employed to analyze the cellular populations, specifically focusing on the ratio of macrophages to macrophages plus lymphocytes.
- Phagocytosis assays using fluorescent beads were conducted to assess the uptake capacity of peritoneal cells.
- Quantitative analysis of total peritoneal cells and macrophage yield per mouse was performed for each strain.
Main Results:
- A more than twofold variation in the macrophage to (macrophages + lymphocytes) ratio was observed, ranging from 27% in A/J to 62% in C57B/L10 mice.
- Significant strain-specific differences were noted in other cellular parameters, including a notable lymphocyte deficiency in CBA/N mice (carrying the xid mutation).
- Phagocytic activity varied, with bead uptake ranging from 0.99 cells/cell in MFI to 1.64 cells/cell in BALB/c mice over 20 minutes. Total peritoneal cell counts and macrophage yields also showed considerable inter-strain variability.
Conclusions:
- Significant genetic variation exists in the resident peritoneal cell populations and their functions among different mouse strains.
- These inherent differences, particularly in cell ratios and phagocytic capacity, must be carefully considered when designing experiments.
- Appropriate strain selection is critical for the validity and reproducibility of research utilizing resident peritoneal cells.
Abstract:
A flow-cytometric study of resident peritoneal cells among 8 mouse strains showed a more than twofold variation in the ratio of macrophages to macrophages plus lymphocytes, ranging from 27% in A/J to 62% in C57B/L10, with significant strain differences in a number of other cellular parameters. There was a particular deficiency of lymphocytes in strain CBA/N, which carries the xid mutation. Studies of the phagocytosis of fluorescent beads also revealed large differences in the number of beads taken up, ranging from 0.99 per cell in MFI to 1.64 per cell in BALB/c mice in a 20-min period. The total number of peritoneal cells collected also varied between strains, ranging from 2.75 x 10(6) in CBA/Ca to 5.85 x 10(6) in MF1. The total yield of macrophages per mouse ranged from 0.93 x 10(6) in A/J to 3.16 x 10(6) in C57BL/10. These differences should be taken into account when designing experiments which use resident peritoneal cells.
