Phagocytic cells in glomerular cultures from NZB/W mice.

Comparative studies of glomerular cultures from NZB/W and normal control mice aged 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months revealed a significant increase in the number of phagocytic cells in cultures from NZB/W mice at all ages. These cells on electron microscopy had the appearance of macrophages and on immunofluorescence showed Fc receptors and reacted with rabbit anti-mouse macrophage serum. The cells appear to be of blood monocyte origin and it is likely that they play a role in the pathogenesis in NZB/W mice of the glomerulopathy associated with clearance of immune complexes.