Concanavalin A-induced changes in lysosomal morphology of macrophages under confocal microscope

Changes in lysosomal morphology of cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages after stimu1ation by Concanavalin A (Con A) were observed with a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). A series of images were obtained including phase-contrast images, optical sectioning images, 3-dimensional reconstruction images. The changes of lysosomal fluorescence intensity and pH were measured. It was found that macrophage lysosomes were Cllstributed mainly at the periphery of the cells in resting conditions, the lysosomal area containing fluorescence probe became markedly enlarged after stimulation by Con A for 30 min, and the fluorescence intensity in the medium increased about 15 min after suggesting that Con A could induce outflow of the fluorescence probe within the macrophage lysosomes. The lysosomal pH rose from 4. 6 to 5. 7 in 7 min after Con A was added, and maintained at that level hereafter.