Particles and macrophages in murine Peyer's patches.

Mice were given 1% suspensions of 5 insoluble particles (chrysotile asbestos, quartz, carmine, carbon, and iron oxide) in drinking water for 3 months. The particles were subsequently sought in intestinal Peyer's patches by light microscopy. Carbon and iron oxide particles were visible in Peyer's patch macrophages, particularly in the subepithelial region, but the other particles could not be detected. The findings suggest that particle surface properties as well as particle size govern accumulation in Peyer's patches. The cytochemistry of subepithelial, mid-dome, tingible-body, and serosal macrophages of control mice indicated diversity of macrophages within the patch. Macrophages of asbestos-fed mice contained more lysosomes than macrophages of controls. Macrophage abundance in the dome apex was not significantly altered by asbestos ingestion. The other particles did not produce detectable alterations in macrophage morphology.