ACTIVATION OF FC RECEPTOR-MEDIATED PHAGOCYTOSIS BY MOUSE PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES FOLLOWING THE INTRAPERITONEAL ADMINISTRATION OF LIPOSOMES

The effects of liposomes on the phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages were investigated using IgG-opsonized sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The highest ingestion index of opsonized SRBC via Fc receptors of macrophages from BALB/c mice was observed for macrophages harvested on day 4 following the intraperitoneal injection of liposomes (2.27 mu mol lipid/mouse). An increase in the ingestion index was observed irrespective of liposomal charge. Binding parameters of Fc receptors of macrophages from liposome- or saline-injected mice were determined using horseradish peroxidase-conjugated IgG, and an increase in the number of binding sites with the same binding constant was observed in macrophages from liposome-injected mice. The activation mechanism of mouse peritoneal macrophages by liposomes differed from that by lipopolysaccharides. Liposomes thus appear to contribute to the activation of immune response.