The influence of infection on the content of lysosomal enzymes in rat Kupffer cells and hepatocytes.

The activities of beta-glucuronidase, arylsulphatase A and acid DNAase were measured in homogenates from Kupffer cells and hepatocytes prepared from germ-free, monocontaminated and conventional rats. The cells were prepared from a liver cell suspension obtained by treating the perfused liver with collagenase. Kupffer cells from germ-free rats were found to have lower lysosomal enzyme activities than cells obtained from conventional rats. Monocontaminated animals (E. coli or Streptococcus pyogenes) showed intermediate activities. Our data indicate that the level of lysosomal enzymes in macrophages is a function of the endocytic activity of these cells.