MECHANISMS OF SPLENIC CLEARANCE OF BLOOD-CELLS AND PARTICLES - TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SPLENOTROPIC AGENTS

The mammalian spleen is quintessentially a filter of the blood and a p re-eminent reticuloendothelial organ, possessing a large capacity for removing blood cells, infectious microorganisms, particles and macromo lecules from the blood. These functions, which are reflected in the un ique vascular structure of the spleen, have provided the basis for the development of splenotropic agents for exploitation in both clinical and experimental medicine and are outlined in this overview.