Abstract

Methods for Studying Mononuclear Phagocytes is a practical guide to the study of mononuclear phagocytes that brings together various well-established and useful methods for examining these cells. The technical protocols have been made detailed, specific, practical, and inclusive of the necessary mystique for immediate and direct application in the laboratory.
The book is divided into 11 parts arranged according to the sequence of steps that would generally be followed to study a given population of mononuclear phagocytes: (I) methods for obtaining and culturing populations of human and animal mononuclear phagocytes; (II) methods for separating populations of leukocytes to enrich or deplete their content of mononuclear phagocytes; (II) criteria and techniques for identifying mononuclear phagocytes; (IV) methods for quantifying the number of mononuclear phagocytes; (V) techniques for studying the morphology of mononuclear phagocytes; (VI) methods for quantifying the biochemical constituents of mononuclear phagocytes; (VII) methods of quantifying phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and chemotaxis; (VIII) methods for quantifying the secretory products of mononuclear phagocytes; (IX) procedures for quantifying the destruction of tumor cells and of microorganisms by mononuclear phagocytes; (X) methods for studying the cell biology of mononuclear phagocytes; and (XI) techniques for studying mononuclear phagocytes in vivo, including procedures for estimating their kinetics, accumulation, identification, and microbicidal properties.