Cytophotometric assessment of phagocytosis and pinocytosis on single resident and exudate murine peritoneal macrophages

Computerised scanning cytophotometry was used to evaluate the phagocytic and pinocytic performance of single resident and exudate macrophages. The results indicate that both receptor mediated phagocytosis and fluid phase pinocytosis are more efficiently performed by activated than resident murine peritoneal macrophages. Exudate macrophages phagocytise at approximately twice the rate of resident macrophages while pinocytosis is five times more prominent in exudate than in resident macrophages. The results are consistent with other published investigations and in addition reflect individual cellular variation in macrophage populations.