Week of 27 October 2020

These are
multinucleated
giant cells!

Multinucleated giant cells are the dominant responders to biomaterial implantation. Other inflammatory cells can also be observed (lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells). The evaluation of cell type and severity of the inflammation are critical in assessment of local tolerance by medical device pathologists.

They are derived from « frustrated » macrophages which are unable to degrade a foreign body and so fuse to increase their phagocytosis ability. They are expected when foreign material is implanted, but some materials elicit an even greater multinucleated giant cell response than others. For example, sutures, such as are present in the field shown, are known to elicit a powerful inflammatory response.

H&ES, Original magnification: x40, scale bar: 25 μm.
*: Multinucleated giant cell

This histopathology image is one example from the comprehensive suite of Pathology Services offered by IMMR’s in-house team of Board-certified Veterinary Pathologists.

Contact us to learn more and discuss your preclinical research and pathology needs.