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Melano-macrophages of the seawater teleosts, sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): morphology, formation and possible function

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Abstract

Melano-macrophages in the head-kidney, spleen and liver of sea bass and gilthead seabream have been investigated by means of light and electron microscopy, histochemistry and phagocytic assays. The results demonstrate the presence of both free and clustered melano-macrophages (melano-macrophage centres), with similar ultrastructural features. These large cells are PAS-, hemosiderin-and melanin-positive, and contain large, alkaline-and acid phosphatase-positive lysosomes, whose reaction intensity depends on the amount of accumulated pigment. The relationship between the cytochemical features of these lysosomes and the capacity of the melano-macrophages to phagocytose bacteria and latex beads, has been studied. The large melanomacrophage centres have a capsule of flattened cells, whose ultrastructural and cytochemical features are similar to fibroblast-like reticular cells. Melanin is the main accumulated pigment. A subpopulation of head-kidney mononuclear phagocytes engulfs melanin associated with cell debris. The relationship between the origin of the melano-macrophage pigment and the ability of monocytes/macrophages to phagocytise the melanin from melanocytes, is considered. The origin and possible function of melano-macrophage centres are discussed.

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  1. Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, E-30100, Murcia, Spain

    J. Meseguer, A. López-Ruiz & M. A. Esteban

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  1. J. Meseguer
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  2. A. López-Ruiz
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  3. M. A. Esteban
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Meseguer, J., López-Ruiz, A. & Esteban, M.A. Melano-macrophages of the seawater teleosts, sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): morphology, formation and possible function. Cell Tissue Res 277, 1–10 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303074

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303074

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