Formation of Ceroid in the Mouse Spleens by Crushi

-The Signification of Erythrocytes and Necrotic Ch anges in Ceroidogenesis-

Abstract

Schliiter et al. (1975) reported that the appearance of splenic ceroidosis is considered to be derived from increased destruction of erythrocytes in 41.7% of cases of the traumatic rupture of the human spleens, this suggesting the close interrelationship between splenic trauma and ceroidogenesis in the spleen.
An attempt which exper imentally has not been hitherto carried out has been made to form ceroid by the manipulation of crushing mouse spleens. Consequently since a clump of ceroidcontaining macrophages could be at a high rate found in the crushed portion of splenic parenchyma more than one week after crush, whether or not hemorrhagic necrotic changes are involved in the occurrence of ceroid was investigated using histochemical and electron microscopical techniques.
Three days after crushing degenerated erythrocytes, fragmented cytoplasmic matrix and membranous structures considered to be derived from cellular organelles were seen to be phagocytized by some macrophages in the crushed region of the spleen. More than one week after crushing membranous or lamellar structures and moderately or highly electron dense granules characteristic of the ultrastructure of ceroid were detected in partially hemolysed erythrocytes and necrotic cells engulfed by macrophages. Furthermore, the fusion of many phagolysosomes containing these substances suggestive of the formation of mature ceroid was recognizable with the lapse of the experimental period.
The above findings are thought to support the view that engulfed erythrocytes and necrotic cells play an important role in the formation of ceroid in the mouse spleen. It was noted that numerous membranous or lamellar structures characteristic of ceroid were discernible in the splenic macrophages. This finding suggests that engulfed cellular organelles supposed to have been derived from debris of numerous disintegrating cells may have been closely involved in the ceroid formation in the splenic macrophages.
Moreover, the entity of the c rystalloid structures found in siderosomes or cytoplasmic matrix of the macrophages including ceroid is discussed.