[The structure and nature of the macrophages participating in Wallerian degeneration of nerve fibers].

The nervus ischiadicus in white noninbred rats has been damaged by various means and then light- and electron-microscopically the sources of origin of macrophages, participating in removal of decay products in the distal part of the nerve have been studied. There is a close correlation between the process of Wallerian degeneration and aseptic inflammation. In the area of decay of the myelinated nervous fibers 4 types of cells have been identified and characterized. Three of them are precursors of macrophages, participating in removal of the myelin decay products: mononuclear cells of hematogenic origin, perineural cells, endoneural fibroblasts. The dynamics of these cells transformation into macrophages and into "foam cells" has been followed. The fourth type--Schwann cells; they do not directly participate in removal of the myelin decay products. They do not die, but, separating from the segments of the disintegrated myelin, dedifferentiate, proliferate and form cords, into which regenerating axons then grow in. To understand the role of various macrophages in the destructive and reparative processes, which develop in the nerves, is very important not only for searching definitive approaches in treatment of posttraumatic demyelinated processes, but for comprehending the mechanisms of certain autoimmune demyelinating diseases.