Abstract
Summary
Endotoxin detoxification by leukocyte and macrophage sonicates was evaluated using the lead-sensitized rat shock bioassay. Leukocyte sonicates from both blood and peritoneal exudates did not inactivate endotoxin. In contrast, sonicates of macrophages from liver, lung, or peritoneal exudates displayed marked endotoxin detoxifying ability. During the development of peritoneal exudates to casein ip, the cell progression from a neutrophilia to a macrophage population was associated with the development of exudate endotoxin detoxifying ability. Endotoxin inactivation was demonstrated in the large granule fraction of peritoneal macrophages. The probable specificity of macrophage lysosomes in certain aspects of endotoxin detoxification is discussed.
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