Mouse peritoneal cells exposed to sodium aurothiomalate in vivo.

The localization of gold in normal, stimulated and activated mouse peritoneal cells exposed in vivo to sodium aurothiomalate was examined by a new histochemical technique based on physical development. Activated macrophages from mice infected with herpes simplex virus type II showed the greatest amount of gold localized within lysosomes. Mast cells contained gold in their granules. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes and lymphocytes, on the other hand, were devoid of gold. Pinocytosis is discussed as the mechanism by which gold is taken up into the cells.