RESUMO
A pregnant mouse uterus and embryo extract (PMUE) that contains growth hematopoietic factor (M-CSF or CSF-1), was used to test its action on the phagocytic and digestive functions of macrophage. Macrophages incubated with and without PMUE for 24 hours previous to each experiment were compared. A good phagocytosis of Trypanosoma cruzi by macrophages incubated with PMUE, was observed on video microscopy. No phagocytic activity was observed in the macrophages deprived of PMUE 24 hours before. The studies of phagocytic and degradative behavior of macrophages by both soluble and particulated (S. aureus) complex 125I-antibodies showed that total binding of soluble ligands was almost double in the group of macrophages incubated with PMUE. Both the soluble and particulated ligands were digested more efficiently by the macrophages stimulated by PMUE. Counting the macrophages with trypan blue, an equal viability was found, of the cells incubated with and without PMUE. From the experimental data obtained, we may conclude that the hematopoietic growth factor present in PMUE is essential for phagocytic and degradative functions of macrophages.