The characterization, origin, and kinetics of skin macrophages during inflammation.

This report deals with the characterization, origin, and kinetics of exudate skin macrophages. The inflammatory stimulus used was a subcutaneously inserted glass coverslip. The macrophages adhering to the glass surface have many characteristics in common with circulating monocytes. During this kind of inflammation there is little differentiation into a more mature or activated type of mononuclear phagocyte. The kinetic studies with [3H]thymidine as cell marker and calculation of local production at the site of inflammation as well as the influx of cells to that site led to the conclusion that greater than or equal to 99% of the exudate skin macrophages were monocyte derived and less than or equal to 1% originated by local division of macrophages.