“…Originally, before the development of specific antibodies, the cells at this site had been characterized as macrophages by the presence of acid phosphatase, but diVered from other macrophage populations by their high content of nonspecific esterase (NSE) (Eikelenboom, 1978). A role for this enzyme in cleaving fatty acids as well as for the detoxification of LPS has been described, as well as a direct association of NSE and removal of apoptotic T cells by macrophages in the thymus (Feng et al, 2002). This suggests that the marginal metallophilic macrophages are involved in scavenging pathogens and apoptotic cells based on the function of NSE in membrane destabilization.…”