The variation in cytoplasmic distribution of mouse peritoneal macrophage during phagocytosis modulated by mangiferin, an immunomodulator

The peritoneal M Phi in the immunological defense removes foreign particles, pathogenic or otherwise, by phagocytosis, and shows movement in search of the target. The macrophage (M Phi) appears in various shapes and sizes, spherical, flattened spindle-shaped, amoeboid, polygonal and with very long extension. On activation, the M Phi shows changes in cell shape, cytokinesis and development of intercellular contacts. A dynamic redistribution of cytoskeleton with cytoplasmic spread and/or extensions occurs with immunomodulators, like Mangiferin (1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone-C-2-beta-D-glucoside). The M Phi isolated from the peritoneal fluid of BALB/c mice pretreated with mangiferin and saline control, on challenge, shows redistribution of cytoplasm with variable morphology. Using the image analyses technique for pattern recognition of individual shapes of M Phi leads to the observation of clustering of cells in the coverslip culture. The stimulation in phagocytosis due to mangiferin, shows cytoplasmic spread, long extensions and intercellular contacts. The individual variations in the cytoplasmic redistribution are due to changes in the balance between the cellular surface area and the long extensions where the shape and nature of the phagocytic particle and the type of M Phi are determinants. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier GmbH.