Glomerular localization of aggregated protein in mice; effect of strain difference and relationship to systemic macrophage function.

Glomerular uptake of aggregated bovine serum albumin has been studied in 3 different mouse strains. Systemic macrophage activity in the same 3 strains has been estimated by measuring the uptake of carbon particles. The amount of aggregated protein taken up by the glomerular mesangium in each strain appears to be inversely related to the systemic macrophage activity. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.