On the phagocytizing activities of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

Ehrlich ascites tumor cells actively phagocytize the pigments derived from benzidine yellow. The pigments were synthesized from acetoacet-arylide, and 5 derivatives with similar chemical structure were prepared by conjugation of various substitutes. Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (a), polyoxyethylene nonylphenol ether (fe), conjugated material of naphthaliosulfonic acid and formaldehyde (c), polyoxyethylene alkyl ether (d) polyoxy ethylene alkylphenol ether (e), and a mixture of c and e (/); were used as solvents. Two-tenths ml of 0.5-1.5% of these pigment solutions (0.1% in water) were injected into the peritoneal cavities of mice on the 4th and 5th day after transplantation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Phagocytizing activity was studied on the 7th day after the transplantation of the tumor cells. A higher rate of phagocytosis appeared in animals injected with pigments which contained —CH3substituted on the benzidine base; a lower rate of phagocytosis appeared when pigments with —Cl were used. This fact indicates that efficiency of phagocytosis is dej>endent u]x>n minute differences in chemical structure. Phagocytizing activity is also affected by the type of solvent, and a low rate of phagocytosis appeared when Solvent c was used. In the electron microscopic study with serial, ultrathin sections, it was observed that pigment particles were surrounded by a limiting membrane.