Macrophages are an important part of the immune response and are
characterized by their ability to phagocytose foreign matter.
However the difficulties involved in macrophage isolation mean they
are some of the body's least explored cells. Macrophage
Methodology describes how to isolate moderate to high yields of
viable cells from a variety of specific tissue sites under both
normal and pathological conditions and then goes on to give
protocols for macrophage
purification. The third chapter covers techniques used to identify
and measure endocytic and phagocytic capabilities using
immunochemistry and fluorescent analysis. Chapter four identifies
the key issues relating to the study of macrophages as antigen
presenting cells and has protocols for the major assays used
to
measure antigen processing and presentation. Also covered are the
theoretical and practical issues related to the processing and
presentation of intracellular pathogens for which macrophages are
the major host cell. The methods described for measuring macrophage
secretory products concentrate on bioassays for molecules where no
ELISA is available. The next two chapters cover measuring
macrophage activity in vitro and in vivo. Finally methods are
described for the analysis of
gene expression in macrophages. A variety of broad techniques have
been brought together in one affordable volume to make Macrophage
Methodology an essential buy for anyone studying macrophages.
Isolation of macrophages from tissues, fluids, and immune response sites Purification of macrophages Characterization of macrophage antigens and receptors by immunochemistry and fluorescent analaysis Analysis of antigen processing and presentation Macrophage secretory products Analysis of macrophage lytic function Analysis of macrophage activity in vivo Analysis of gene expression in mononuclear phagocytes
