Uptake of heparin by peritoneal macrophages.

Abstract

SummaryHeparin is rapidly taken up by mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro, Vacuoles containing heparin stain metachromatieally, giving macrophages the appearance of mast cells. There is an accompanying change in reaction of the nucleus with Romanowsky stains. The metachromatically staining vacuoles remain in macrophages for at least 22 days.