Macrophages isolated from periapical granuloma: A scanning electron microscopic study

Abstract

Macrophages isolated from human periapical granulomas were observed under the scanning electron microscope to analyze the surface architecture of the cell membrane. There were marked variations in form, degree of cell spreading, and surface morphology among macrophages of the same specimen. In addition, active phagocytosis of foreign particles or erythrocytes and close contact with other cells were observed. Our findings suggest that these events may represent different states of macrophage activation and provide the basis for further studies on the role of macrophages in host defense mechanisms.