Formation of Granulocytes and Macrophages in Diffusion Chamber Cultures of Mouse Blood Leucocytes

Abstract

Suspensions of mononuclear cells were prepared from mouse blood by a one stage centrifugation method. Iso‐ and homologous culturing of these cells were then carried out in cell‐impermeable diffusion chambers. These were implanted into the peritoneal cavities of host mice. The culture periods ranged from 1 to 13 days. The proliferation, differentiation and death of the chamber cells were quantitated by total and differential cell counts and by evaluation of 3 H‐thymidine incorporation from liquid scintillation counting and radioautography. Proliferating and differentiating granulocytes and macrophages were consistently found in the cultures, whilst lymphocytes from the inoculum were gradually lost during the culture periods.