why do macrophages detach with lidocaine ? - mechanism of detachment (Jul/12/2002 )

Dear fellow researchers

We are currently using lidocaine to detach our macrophages from the petri dish.
But we havn't got a clue about the mechanisms of detachment and whether it has any other effects irreversible on the function of our macrophages.

does anybody know the answer to our question ?

Greeting Edwin And Ester

-celbio-

The lidocaine changes the shape of the macrophages to a more spherical conformation rather than the amoeba-like state they assume on the dish

-alloyd-

QUOTE (celbio @ Jul 12 2002, 06:58 AM)

Dear fellow researchers<p>We are currently using lidocaine to detach our macrophages from the petri dish.
But we havn't got a clue about the mechanisms of detachment and whether it has any other effects irreversible on the function of our macrophages.<p>does anybody know the answer to our question ?<p> Greeting Edwin And Ester

Hi,
Apparently it is due to blockade of calcium ion channels. High calcium content is needed for proper microtubule assembly and attachment.
Gerardo

-Gerardo-