Participation of hyaluronic acid in the macrophage disappearance reaction.

Hyaluronic acid accumulates in the peritoneal cavity of mice during the macrophage disapperance reaction. Macrophages reappear in the exudates during the depletion of hyaluronate. The disappearance reaction is simulated by the intraperitional (i.p.) injection of hyaluronic acid into normal mice. The disapperance reaction largely is inhibited by the simultaneous injection (i.p.) of specific hyaluronidase with the challenge dose of BCG. We propose that hyaluronic acid makes a major contribution to the macrophage disappearance reaction.