Extra- and intracellular collagen resorption by macrophages and fibroblasts in postpartum uterine involution

Abstract

Localization of catepsin B in rat uterus during postpartum involution was studied by electron microscopy using histochemical methods. The product of histochemical reaction was found in collagen-containing vacuoles in macrophages and fibroblasts, on their cytolemma and adjacent collagen fibrils, which indicated the involvement of these cells into intra- and extracellular collagen resorption in the uterus.