STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF PHAGOCYTIC STIMULATION ON MICROBIAL DISEASE: I. ACTION OF SOME DERIVATIVES OF THE BICYCLO[0.3.5]DECAPENTAENE SKELETON ON ENDOTHELIAL CELLS OF SKIN VESSELS

Abstract

If the depilated skin of white mice is rubbed with solutions of histamine or certain derivatives of bicyclo[0.3.5]decapentaene, simultaneous intravenous injection of a suspension of India ink leads to an intracellular accumulation of ink particles inside the endothelial cells of small vessels at the site rubbed. This phenomenon of phagocytosis is induced in cells which have normally no phagocytic capacity and can be inhibited by antihistaminics. Solutions of these derivatives are quickly absorbed and are thought to liberate sufficient quantities of histamine to induce phagocytic activity of the endothelial cells. Some derivatives of the bicyclo[0.3.5]decapentaene skeleton have been tested for similar action and a quantitative difference was observed. These observations confirm those of Jancsó who states that histamine stimulates the endothelial cells of small vessels to phagocytic function. The phenomena described seem to have a certain importance because if the hypothesis is correct, a high number of normally inactive cells may be placed at the disposal of the natural cellular defense mechanism of the organism by means of a physiological stimulus.