IMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF VIMENTIN IN MACROPHAGE-DERIVED GIANT-CELLS - METHOD FOR OBTAINING LARGER GIANT-CELLS

We studied the ultrastructure of giant cells derived from macrophages that are found on the surface of implanted polymethylmethacrylate intr aocular lenses (IOLs) in rabbits and the immunolocalization of vimenti n in these cells in order to study the rearrangement of the intermedia te filaments in multinucleated cells, In adult Japanese albino rabbits , the crystalline lens was extracted and an IOL was inserted into the residual lens capsule, IOLs were removed after 7 days, and the specime ns were processed for ultrastructural observation or for immunostainin g for vimentin. Macrophages and multinucleated cell were detected on t he surfaces of IOLs by both light and transmission electron microscopy . Nuclei of the large multinucleated cells showed a circular distribut ion with the center of the cytoplasm occupied by cytoplasmic vacuoles. Vimentin intermediate filaments were observed in the cytoplasm of bot h macrophages and multinucleated cells. Vimentin in giant cells showed a radial distribution. Results indicate that vimentin intermediate fi laments become reorganized after the fusion of macrophages. Experiment al implantation of an IOL into the animal eye is a useful method for o btaining larger giant cells derived from macrophages.