Name: phagocytosis assay for apoptotic cells in drosophila embryos
Uploaded: 2017-08-03T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Phagocytosis Assay for Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila Embryos at JoVE.com

We are grateful to Kaz Nagaosa and Akiko Shiratsuchi for their advice.

1. Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Preparation of fresh grape juice agar plates
	<ol>
		<li>Add 100 mL of water to 4.4 g of agar, and heat the mixture in a microwave oven to dissolve agar.</li>
		<li>Add 80 mL of fresh grape juice, 5 mL of acetic acid, and 5 mL of ethanol to agar solution.</li>
		<li>Pour approximately 1.5 mL of the solution with a pipette onto each glass slide, and allow it to solidify.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Preparation of 6 cm dish agarose plates
	<ol>
		<li>Add 50 mL water ...

<ol>
	<li>Danial, N. N., Korsmeyer, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+death:+critical+control+points.">Cell death: critical control points.</a> Cell. 116 (2), 205-219 (2004).</li><li>Vaux, D. L., Korsmeyer, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+death+in+development.">Cell death in development.</a> Cell. 96 (2), 245-254 (1999).</li><li>Savill, J., Fadok, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Corpse+clearance+defines+the+meaning+of+cell+death.">Corpse clearance defines the meaning of cell death.</a> Nature. 407 (6805), 784-788 (2000).</li><li>Lauber, K., Blumenthal, S. G., Waibel, M., Wesselborg, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clearance+of+apoptotic+cells:+getting+rid+of+the+corpses.">Clearance of apoptotic cells: getting rid of the corpses.</a> Mol Cell. 14 (3), 277-287 (2004).</li><li>Ravichandran, K. S., Lorenz, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Engulfment+of+apoptotic+cells:+signals+for+a+good+meal.">Engulfment of apoptotic cells: signals for a good meal.</a> Nat Rev Immunol. 7 (12), 964-974 (2007).</li><li>Ravichandran, K. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Beginnings+of+a+good+apoptotic+meal:+the+find-me+and+eat-me+signaling+pathways.">Beginnings of a good apoptotic meal: the find-me and eat-me signaling pathways.</a> Immunity. 35 (4), 445-455 (2011).</li><li>Nakanishi, Y., Nagaosa, K., Shiratsuchi, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phagocytic+removal+of+cells+that+have+become+unwanted:+implications+for+animal+development+and+tissue+homeostasis.">Phagocytic removal of cells that have become unwanted: implications for animal development and tissue homeostasis.</a> Dev Growth Differ. 53 (2), 149-160 (2011).</li><li>Reddien, P. W., Horvitz, H. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+engulfment+process+of+programmed+cell+death+in+caenorhabditis+elegans.">The engulfment process of programmed cell death in caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 20, 193-221 (2004).</li><li>Hedgecock, E. M., Sulston, J. E., Thomson, J. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mutations+affecting+programmed+cell+deaths+in+the+nematode+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Mutations affecting programmed cell deaths in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Science. 220 (4603), 1277-1279 (1983).</li><li>Ellis, R. E., Jacobson, D. M., Horvitz, H. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genes+required+for+the+engulfment+of+cell+corpses+during+programmed+cell+death+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Genes required for the engulfment of cell corpses during programmed cell death in Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Genetics. 129 (1), 79-94 (1991).</li><li>Gumienny, T. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CED-12/ELMO,+a+novel+member+of+the+CrkII/Dock180/Rac+pathway,+is+required+for+phagocytosis+and+cell+migration.">CED-12/ELMO, a novel member of the CrkII/Dock180/Rac pathway, is required for phagocytosis and cell migration.</a> Cell. 107 (1), 27-41 (2001).</li><li>Hsu, T. Y., Wu, Y. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Engulfment+of+apoptotic+cells+in+C.+elegans+is+mediated+by+integrin+alpha/SRC+signaling.">Engulfment of apoptotic cells in C. elegans is mediated by integrin alpha/SRC signaling.</a> Curr Biol. 20 (6), 477-486 (2010).</li><li>Hanayama, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+a+factor+that+links+apoptotic+cells+to+phagocytes.">Identification of a factor that links apoptotic cells to phagocytes.</a> Nature. 417 (6885), 182-187 (2002).</li><li>Tepass, U., Fessler, L. I., Aziz, A., Hartenstein, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryonic+origin+of+hemocytes+and+their+relationship+to+cell+death+in+Drosophila.">Embryonic origin of hemocytes and their relationship to cell death in Drosophila.</a> Development. 120 (7), 1829-1837 (1994).</li><li>Gold, K. S., Bruckner, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Macrophages+and+cellular+immunity+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Macrophages and cellular immunity in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Semin Immunol. 27, 357-368 (2015).</li><li>Abrams, J. M., White, K., Fessler, L. I., Steller, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Programmed+cell+death+during+Drosophila+embryogenesis.">Programmed cell death during Drosophila embryogenesis.</a> Development. 117 (1), 29-43 (1993).</li><li>Franc, N. C., Heitzler, P., Ezekowitz, R. A., White, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Requirement+for+croquemort+in+phagocytosis+of+apoptotic+cells+in+Drosophila.">Requirement for croquemort in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in Drosophila.</a> Science. 284 (5422), 1991-1994 (1999).</li><li>Mukae, N., Yokoyama, H., Yokokura, T., Sakoyama, Y., Nagata, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activation+of+the+innate+immunity+in+Drosophila+by+endogenous+chromosomal+DNA+that+escaped+apoptotic+degradation.">Activation of the innate immunity in Drosophila by endogenous chromosomal DNA that escaped apoptotic degradation.</a> Genes Dev. 16 (20), 2662-2671 (2002).</li><li>Manaka, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Draper-mediated+and+phosphatidylserine-independent+phagocytosis+of+apoptotic+cells+by+Drosophila+hemocytes/macrophages.">Draper-mediated and phosphatidylserine-independent phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by Drosophila hemocytes/macrophages.</a> J Biol Chem. 279 (46), 48466-48476 (2004).</li><li>Roberts, D. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Drosophila: A Practical Approach. , 3868-3878 (1998).</li><li>Kuraishi, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pretaporter,+a+Drosophila+protein+serving+as+a+ligand+for+Draper+in+the+phagocytosis+of+apoptotic+cells.">Pretaporter, a Drosophila protein serving as a ligand for Draper in the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.</a> Embo j. 28 (24), 3868-3878 (2009).</li><li>Franc, N. C., Dimarcq, J. L., Lagueux, M., Hoffmann, J., Ezekowitz, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Croquemort,+a+novel+Drosophila+hemocyte/macrophage+receptor+that+recognizes+apoptotic+cells.">Croquemort, a novel Drosophila hemocyte/macrophage receptor that recognizes apoptotic cells.</a> Immunity. 4 (5), 431-443 (1996).</li><li>Kuraishi, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+calreticulin+as+a+marker+for+phagocytosis+of+apoptotic+cells+in+Drosophila.">Identification of calreticulin as a marker for phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in Drosophila.</a> Exp Cell Res. 313 (3), 500-510 (2007).</li><li>Nagaosa, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Integrin+betanu-mediated+phagocytosis+of+apoptotic+cells+in+Drosophila+embryos.">Integrin betanu-mediated phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in Drosophila embryos.</a> J Biol Chem. 286 (29), 25770-25777 (2011).</li><li>Nonaka, S., Nagaosa, K., Mori, T., Shiratsuchi, A., Nakanishi, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Integrin+alphaPS3/betanu-mediated+phagocytosis+of+apoptotic+cells+and+bacteria+in+Drosophila.">Integrin alphaPS3/betanu-mediated phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and bacteria in Drosophila.</a> J Biol Chem. 288 (15), 10374-10380 (2013).</li><li>Fujita, Y., Nagaosa, K., Shiratsuchi, A., Nakanishi, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Role+of+NPxY+motif+in+Draper-mediated+apoptotic+cell+clearance+in+Drosophila.">Role of NPxY motif in Draper-mediated apoptotic cell clearance in Drosophila.</a> Drug Discov Ther. 6 (6), 291-297 (2012).</li><li>Bruckner, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+PDGF/VEGF+receptor+controls+blood+cell+survival+in+Drosophila.">The PDGF/VEGF receptor controls blood cell survival in Drosophila.</a> Dev Cell. 7 (1), 73-84 (2004).</li><li>Nonaka, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Signaling+Pathway+for+Phagocyte+Priming+upon+Encounter+with+Apoptotic+Cells.">Signaling Pathway for Phagocyte Priming upon Encounter with Apoptotic Cells.</a> J Biol Chem. 292 (19), 8059-8072 (2017).</li><li>Hanayama, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Autoimmune+disease+and+impaired+uptake+of+apoptotic+cells+in+MFG-E8-deficient+mice.">Autoimmune disease and impaired uptake of apoptotic cells in MFG-E8-deficient mice.</a> Science. 304 (5674), 1147-1150 (2004).</li></ol>

We herein described a phagocytosis assay using Drosophila embryos. By using dispersed embryonic cells to measure phagocytosis quantitatively, hemocytes, Drosophila professional phagocytes, are immunostained for the hemocyte marker Croquemort or srpHemo-driven GFP, and apoptotic cells are detected by TUNEL in this protocol. The level of phagocytosis is expressed as a phagocytic index by counting the total number of hemocytes and phagocytosing hemocytes. The use of dispersed embryonic cells enabl...

In metazoan animals, e.g. the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and mice and humans, a large number of cells undergo apoptosis during development to shape their bodies and in adulthood to maintain homeostasis1,2. Apoptotic cells need to be rapidly removed because they induce inflammation in the surrounding tissues by releasing immunogenic intracellular materials if not completely removed3. In order to facilitate rapid removal, apoptotic cells present so-called eat-me signals that are recognized by the engulfment receptors of phagocytes, and are eliminated by phagocytosis3,4,5,6. Thus, phagocytosis plays a crucial role in the maintenance of host homeostasis, and hence, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells is of importance.
The mechanisms responsible for the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells appear to be evolutionally conserved among species in the nematodes, flies, and mice7. Several phagocytosis assays are currently available to assess the engulfment of apoptotic cells in these model animals. In C. elegans, 131 somatic cells undergo programmed cell death during development, and cell corpses are phagocytosed by neighboring cells, which are non-professional phagocytes8. Thus, counting the number of remaining cell corpses in C. elegans indicates the level of phagocytosis in vivo. By searching for nematode mutants that show an increased number of dead cells, several genes required for phagocytosis have been identified and genetically characterized9,10,11,12.
Ex vivo phagocytosis assays with primary culture phagocytes, generally macrophages, are often utilized in mice. Apoptotic cells are prepared using cell lines such as Jurkat cells, and are mixed with primary phagocytes. After an incubation for several hours, the total numbers of phagocytes and engulfing phagocytes are counted in order to assess the level of phagocytosis. As a sophisticated modification of this method, Nagata&#39;s group developed an ex vivo phagocytosis assay with cells expressing a caspase-resistant ICAD (inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase), in which apoptotic cells do not undergo apoptotic DNA fragmentation, but DNA is still cleaved when cells are phagocytosed. When these cells are used as apoptotic targets in a phagocytosis assay, only the DNA of engulfed apoptotic cells is fragmented, and stained by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Therefore, the level of apoptotic cell engulfment is measured by counting TUNEL signals in a mixture of phagocytes and apoptotic cells13.
In D. melanogaster, professional phagocytes named hemocytes, Drosophila macrophages, are responsible for the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells14,15. In addition to in vitro phagocytosis assays with culture cell lines, in vivo phagocytosis assays with whole Drosophila embryos are available. Drosophila embryos are a powerful tool for examining the level of apoptotic cell engulfment because many cells undergo apoptosis and are phagocytosed by hemocytes during embryonic development14,15,16. An example of an in vivo phagocytosis assay is the method developed by Franc&#39;s group. In their method, hemocytes are detected by the immunostaining of peroxidasin, a hemocyte marker, apoptotic cells are stained using the nuclear dye, 7-amino actinomycin D in whole Drosophila embryos, and the number of double positive cells is counted as a signal of phagocytosis17. Another example of a phagocytosis assay on embryos is based on the concept of Nagata&#39;s method described above; however, in vivo phagocytosis is evaluated using the embryos of dCAD (Drosophila caspase-activated DNase) mutant flies18,19. These in vivo phagocytosis assays are useful for directly observing phagocytosis in situ. However, difficulties are associated with excluding any possible bias in the step of counting phagocytosing cells because it is hard to observe all phagocytes and apoptotic cells in whole embryos due to its thickness.
In order to overcome this limitation, we developed a new phagocytosis assay in Drosophila embryos. In our method, in order to easily count phagocytosing hemocytes, whole embryos are homogenized to prepare dispersed embryonic cells. Phagocytes are detected by the immunostaining of a phagocyte marker, and apoptotic cells are detected by TUNEL with these dispersed embryonic cells. The use of dispersed embryonic cells enables us to measure in vivo phagocytosis levels as if we performed an in vitro phagocytosis assay that precisely quantifies the level of phagocytosis. All genotypes of flies may be employed in this assay if they develop to stage 16 of embryos20, the developmental stage at which apoptotic cell clearance by phagocytosis is the most abundant. This method has the advantage of assessing the level of phagocytosis quantitatively, and, thus, may contribute to the identification of new molecules involved in the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in vivo.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>whole swine serum</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>55993</td>
			<td>For bloking</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Treff micro test tube(easy fit)&#160; Dnase, Rnase free tube, 1.5 mL</td>
			<td>TreffLab</td>
			<td>96. 4625. 9. 01</td>
			<td>For&#160; homogenization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pellet mixer&#160; 1.5 mL</td>
			<td>TreffLab</td>
			<td>96. 7339. 9. 03</td>
			<td>For&#160; homogenization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>C-0130</td>
			<td>For preparation of embryonic cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher SCIENTIFIC</td>
			<td>27250-018</td>
			<td>For preparation of embryonic cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kpl Anti-Rat IgG (H+L) Ab MSA, AP</td>
			<td>KPL</td>
			<td>475-1612</td>
			<td>secondary antibody for 
			stainig hemocytes with an anti-Croquemort antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5-bromo-4-chloro- 
			3-indolyl-phosphate</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>11383221001</td>
			<td>BCIP, For staining of hemocytes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>nitro blue tetrazolium</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>11383213001</td>
			<td>NBT, For staining of hemocytes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Croquemort antibody</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>described previously in Manaka et al, J. Biol. Chem., 279, 48466-48476</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#160;Anti-GFP 
			from mouse IgG1&#954; (clones 7.1 and 13.1)&#160;</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>11814460001</td>
			<td>For staining of hemocytes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat Anti-Mouse IgG-AP Conjugate</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>170-6520</td>
			<td>secondary antibody for stainig hemocytes with an anti-Croquemort antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Apop Tag Peroxidase In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>S7100</td>
			<td>For staining of apoptoitc cells. This kit includes Equilibration buffer, Reaction buffer, STOP/Wash buffer, TdT enzyme, and Anti-Digoxigenin-Peroxidase.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3,3&#39;-diaminobenzidine 
			tetrahydrichloride</td>
			<td>nacalai tesque</td>
			<td>11009-41</td>
			<td>DAB, For staining of apoptoitc cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2">Table of Fly Strains</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>w1118</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Control flies, described in Freeman et al., Neuron, 38, 567-580</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>drpr&#916;5</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>drpr mutant, described in Freeman et al, Neuron, 38, 567-580</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Itgbn2</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Itgbn mutant, described in Devenport et al., Development, 131, 5405-5415</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>srpHemoGAL4 UAS-EGFP</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>described in Br&#252;ckner et al., Dev. Cell., 7, 73-84</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UAS-drpr-IR</td>
			<td>VDRC</td>
			<td>4833</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UAS-Itgbn-IR</td>
			<td>NIG-fly</td>
			<td>1762R-1</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

phagocytosis assay for apoptotic cells in drosophila embryos

The molecular mechanisms underlying the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells need to be elucidated in more detail because of its role in immune and inflammatory intractable diseases. We herein developed an experimental method to investigate phagocytosis quantitatively using the fruit fly Drosophila, in which the gene network controlling engulfment reactions is evolutionally conserved from mammals. In order to accurately detect and count engulfing and un-engulfing phagocytes using whole animals, Drosophila embryos were homogenized to obtain dispersed cells including phagocytes and apoptotic cells. The use of dispersed embryonic cells enables us to measure in vivo phagocytosis levels as if we performed an in vitro phagocytosis assay in which it is possible to observe all phagocytes and apoptotic cells in whole embryos and precisely quantify the level of phagocytosis. We confirmed that this method reproduces those of previous studies that identified the genes required for the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. This method allows the engulfment of dead cells to be analyzed, and when combined with the powerful genetics of Drosophila, will reveal the complex phagocytic reactions comprised of the migration, recognition, engulfment, and degradation of apoptotic cells by phagocytes.

In order to examine the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, Drosophila embryos of developmental stage 16 were collected and prepared as dispersed cells. Hemocytes, Drosophila macrophages, were stained by immunocytochemistry for the hemocyte marker &#34;Croquemort&#34;17,22 using a specific antibody19,21, and apoptotic cells were stained by TUNEL in dispersed...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Phagocytosis Assay for Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila Embryos at JoVE.com

Phagocytosis Assay for Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila Embryos

We herein describe a phagocytosis assay using the dispersed embryonic cells of Drosophila. It enables us to easily and precisely quantify in vivo phagocytosis levels, and to identify new molecules required for the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.

Phagocytosis Assay for Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila Embryos

The molecular mechanisms underlying the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells need to be elucidated in more detail because of its role in immune and ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to measure in vivo phagocytosis in Drosophila to assess the involvement of specific genes of interest in apoptotic cell engulfment. This method can help answer key questions in the immunology and developmental biology fields about the mechanisms involved in apoptotic cell engulfment. The main advantage of this technique is that the cells can be used easily and precisely measured in vivo phagocytosis levels.The implication of this technique extend toward therapy of inflammatory disorders and autoimmune disease as apoptotic cell by phagocytosis is necessary for removing dangerous cells that cause inflammation. Begin by adding 200 adult female and 200 adult male fruit flies and a plate of fresh grape juice agar on yeast into a 50 milliliter conical tube. Close the tube with a sponge cap and incubate the flies in the light at 16 degrees Celsius for two to three days.At the end of the incubation, move the flies to 25 degrees Celsius in the dark for one hour and replace the old plate with a new plate without yeast. Allow the flies to lay eggs for two hours. Then incubate the plate at 16 degrees Celsius for 26 hours.The next day, use a paint brush to transfer the embryos into one milliliter of PBS supplemented with 0.2%Triton X-100. After two washes, add 1.2 milliliters of sodium hypochlorite solution to the embryos to remove the chorion. After three minutes, wash the embryos four times in fresh PBS plus Triton X-100.Transfer the washed embryos onto a six centimeter agarose plate and place the plate under a dissecting microscope. Identify stage 16 embryos using a micro tip. Use a micro pipette to transfer approximately 50 of the stage 16 embryos into a 1.5 milliliter micro test tube.To isolate the embryonic cells, first wash the embryos two times with 150 microliters of PBS. Transfer the embryos into a new 1.5 milliliter micro test tube. Then add 200 microliters of collagenase and homogenize the embryos 30 times with a pellet mixer.At the end of the homogenization, triturate the embryonic cells 10 times and transfer the cell suspension into a new 1.5 milliliter tube. Incubate the cells at 37 degrees Celsius for one minute. Then triturate the cells 10 more times and return them to the 37 degrees Celsius incubator for another minute.At the end of the second incubation, add 800 microliters of PBS to the cells and collect the cells by centrifugation. Resuspend the pellet in 200 microliters of Trypsin before filtering the cell suspension through a 70 micron cell strainer. Stop the enzymatic activity with 40 microliters of heat inactivated fetal bovine serum in 800 microliters of PBS and collect the cells by centrifugation.Resuspend the precipitated cells in 200 microliters of fresh PBS and collect the cells with another centrifugation. Resuspend the pellet in 30 microliters of PBS and mount the cells onto an aminopropyltriethoxysilane-coated glass slide. When the cells have attached, use a pipette to remove the excess PBS from the slide and fix the cells with 60 to 70 microliters of 4%paraformaldehyde.After 10 to 15 minutes, remove the fixative and wash the cells in PBS for one minute. To immunostain the cells with anti-Croquemort antibody, first serially soak the slide in methanol then PBS supplemented with 0.2%Triton X-100 followed by PBS alone. Next, block the nonspecific binding with 20 microliters of 5%whole swine serum in PBS plus 0.2%Triton X-100 for 20 minutes at room temperature.Remove the excess blocking solution and label the cells with 20 microliters of anti-Croquemort antiserum at four degrees Celsius overnight. The next morning, wash the slide in PBS plus Triton X-100 for five 10-minute incubations. After the last wash, rinse the slide in PBS for 10 minutes.Then label the cells with 20 microliters of alkaline phosphatase-labeled Anti-Rat IgG at room temperature for one hour. At the end of the incubation, wash the slide five times in PBS plus Triton X-100 as demonstrated followed by a 10-minute soak in buffer solution. Then label the cells with phosphatase substrate solution and observe the cells under a light microscope.When strong purple signals appear in the hemocyte granules, remove the excess substrate and soak the slide in buffer supplemented with EDTA for five to 10 minutes. At the end of the incubation, rinse the cells with two five-minute PBS washes and treat them with equilibration buffer for 10 minutes. After removing the solution, label the cells with 20 microliters of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase solution at 37 degrees Celsius for one hour.Then remove the solution from the slide and soak the cells in 0.5 milliliters stop wash buffer in 17 milliliters of water for 10 minutes. Next, rinse the cells with three five-minute PBS washes and label them with 20 microliters of anti-digoxigenin peroxidase for 30 minutes at room temperature. At the end of the incubation, wash the cells four times in PBS as demonstrated and soak the slide in peroxidase substrate for 30-second increments until the apoptotic cells turn brown.When an optimal staining has been achieved, soak the slide in water to stop the peroxidase reaction. In these images, Drosophila macrophages called hemocytes were stained for the hemocyte marker Croquemort and for the presence of phagocytosed apoptotic cells by TUNEL in dispersed embryonic cells as just demonstrated. Croquemort positive cells exhibit purple signals in the small granules of their cells while TUNEL positive cells demonstrated brown signal in their whole corpuses.Alternatively, hemocytes can be stained with an anti-GFP antibody which stains the entire hemocyte instead of just the granules. In this experiment, the ratio of phagocytosing hemocytes to total hemocytes in wild type or single mutant embryos was analyzed, demonstrating that the phagocytic index was lower in both single mutant strains than in wild type flies while the total numbers of hemocytes and apoptotic cells were similar indicating the requirement of the mutated genes for apoptotic cell engulfment. RNAi knockdown of single genes also reduces the phagocytic index while the total numbers of hemocytes and apoptotic cells remained comparable, further underscoring the involvement of the investigated phagocytosis receptors in apoptotic cell mediated phagocytosis.Once mastered, this technique can be completed in about 15 hours if it is performed properly. While attempting this procedure, it's important to remember to avoid excess hemocyte marker and TUNEL staining for optimal evaluation of the phagocytotic ability of the cells. Following this procedure, in situ phagocytosis assay of all Drosophila embryos can be performed to answer additional questions about the site of engulfment or the distribution of the hemocytes.After its development, this technique paved the way for researchers in the immunology field to explore the mechanisms of apoptotic cell engulfment in Drosophila. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to measure in vivo phagocytosis in Drosophila embryos.

phagocytosis-assay-for-apoptotic-cells-in-drosophila-embryos

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JoVE Core

Cell Biology

Immunology and Infection

Unit 1

Cell Death

SCIENTISTS IN ACTION

RNAi Screening for Host Factors Involved in Vaccinia Virus Infection using Drosophila Cells

Viral pathogens represent a significant public health threat; not only can viruses cause natural epidemics of human disease, but their potential use in bioterrorism is also a concern. A better understanding of the cellular factors that impact infection would facilitate the development of much-needed therapeutics. Recent advances in RNA interference (RNAi) technology coupled with complete genome sequencing of several organisms has led to the optimization of genome-wide, cell-based loss-of-function screens. Drosophila cells are particularly amenable to genome-scale screens because of the ease and efficiency of RNAi in this system 1. Importantly, a wide variety of viruses can infect Drosophila cells, including a number of mammalian viruses of medical and agricultural importance 2,3,4. Previous RNAi screens in Drosophila have identified host factors that are required for various steps in virus infection including entry, translation and RNA replication 5. Moreover, many of the cellular factors required for viral replication in Drosophila cell culture are also limiting in human cells infected with these viruses 4,6,7,8, 9. Therefore, the identification of host factors co-opted during viral infection presents novel targets for antiviral therapeutics. Here we present a generalized protocol for a high-throughput RNAi screen to identify cellular factors involved in viral infection, using vaccinia virus as an example.

RNAi Screening for Host Factors Involved in Vaccinia Virus Infection using Drosophila Cells

Novel host factors involved in viral infection can be identified through cell-based genome-wide loss of function RNAi screening. A Drosophila cell culture model is particularly amenable to this approach due to the ease and efficiency of RNAi. Here we demonstrate this technique using vaccinia virus as an example.

Viral pathogens represent a significant public health threat; not only can viruses cause natural epidemics of human disease, but their potential use in ...

Direct Observation of Phagocytosis and NET-formation by Neutrophils in Infected Lungs using 2-photon Microscopy

After the gastrointestinal tract, the lung is the second largest surface for interaction between the vertebrate body and the 
environment. Here, an effective gas exchange must be maintained, while at the same time avoiding infection by the multiple pathogens that are inhaled 
during normal breathing. To achieve this, a superb set of defense strategies combining humoral and cellular immune mechanisms exists. One of the most 
effective measures for acute defense of the lung is the recruitment of neutrophils, which either phagocytose the inhaled pathogens or kill them by 
releasing cytotoxic chemicals. A recent addition to the arsenal of neutrophils is their explosive release of extracellular DNA-NETs by which bacteria 
or fungi can be caught or inactivated even after the NET releasing cells have died. We present here a method that allows one to directly observe neutrophils, 
migrating within a recently infected lung, phagocytosing fungal pathogens as well as visualize the extensive NETs that they have produced throughout the 
infected tissue. The method describes the preparation of thick viable lung slices 7 hours after intratracheal infection of mice with conidia of the mold 
Aspergillus fumigatus and their examination by multicolor time-lapse 2-photon microscopy. This approach allows one to directly investigate antifungal 
defense in native lung tissue and thus opens a new avenue for the detailed investigation of pulmonary immunity.

We show, how to use 2-photon microscopy for the observation of the dynamics of neutrophil granulocytes in infected lungs while they phagocytose pathogens or produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).

After the gastrointestinal tract, the lung is the second largest surface for interaction between the vertebrate body and the 
environment. Here, an ...

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda

The system comprising bacteriophage (phage) lambda and the bacterium E. coli has long served as a paradigm for cell-fate determination1,2. Following the simultaneous infection of the cell by a number of phages, one of two pathways is chosen: lytic (virulent) or lysogenic (dormant)3,4. We recently developed a method for fluorescently labeling individual phages, and were able to examine the post-infection decision in real-time under the microscope, at the level of individual phages and cells5. Here, we describe the full procedure for performing the infection experiments described in our earlier work5. This includes the creation of fluorescent phages, infection of the cells, imaging under the microscope and data analysis. The fluorescent phage is a "hybrid", co-expressing wild- type and YFP-fusion versions of the capsid gpD protein. A crude phage lysate is first obtained by inducing a lysogen of the gpD-EYFP (Enhanced Yellow Fluorescent Protein) phage, harboring a plasmid expressing wild type gpD. A series of purification steps are then performed, followed by DAPI-labeling and imaging under the microscope. This is done in order to verify the uniformity, DNA packaging efficiency, fluorescence signal and structural stability of the phage stock. The initial adsorption of phages to bacteria is performed on ice, then followed by a short incubation at 35&deg;C to trigger viral DNA injection6. The phage/bacteria mixture is then moved to the surface of a thin nutrient agar slab, covered with a coverslip and imaged under an epifluorescence microscope. The post-infection process is followed for 4 hr, at 10 min interval. Multiple stage positions are tracked such that ~100 cell infections can be traced in a single experiment. At each position and time point, images are acquired in the phase-contrast and red and green fluorescent channels. The phase-contrast image is used later for automated cell recognition while the fluorescent channels are used to characterize the infection outcome: production of new fluorescent phages (green) followed by cell lysis, or expression of lysogeny factors (red) followed by resumed cell growth and division. The acquired time-lapse movies are processed using a combination of manual and automated methods. Data analysis results in the identification of infection parameters for each infection event (e.g. number and positions of infecting phages) as well as infection outcome (lysis/lysogeny). Additional parameters can be extracted if desired.

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda

This article describes the procedure for preparing a fluorescently-labeled version of bacteriophage lambda, infection of E. coli bacteria, following the infection outcome under the microscope, and analysis of infection results.

The system comprising bacteriophage (phage) lambda and the bacterium E. coli has long served as a paradigm for cell-fate determination1,2. Following the ...

Novel Whole-tissue Quantitative Assay of Nitric Oxide Levels in Drosophila Neuroinflammatory Response

Neuroinflammation is a complex innate immune response vital to the healthy function of the central nervous system (CNS). Under normal conditions, an intricate network of inducers, detectors, and activators rapidly responds to neuron damage, infection or other immune infractions. This inflammation of immune cells is intimately associated with the pathology of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD), Alzheimer&#39;s disease and ALS. Under compromised disease states, chronic inflammation, intended to minimize neuron damage, may lead to an over-excitation of the immune cells, ultimately resulting in the exacerbation of disease progression. For example, loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain, a hallmark of PD, is accelerated by the excessive activation of the inflammatory response. Though the cause of PD is largely unknown, exposure to environmental toxins has been implicated in the onset of sporadic cases. The herbicide paraquat, for example, has been shown to induce Parkinsonian-like pathology in several animal models, including Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we have used the conserved innate immune response in Drosophila to develop an assay capable of detecting varying levels of nitric oxide, a cell-signaling molecule critical to the activation of the inflammatory response cascade and targeted neuron death. Using paraquat-induced neuronal damage, we assess the impact of these immune insults on neuroinflammatory stimulation through the use of a novel, quantitative assay. Whole brains are fully extracted from flies either exposed to neurotoxins or of genotypes that elevate susceptibility to neurodegeneration then incubated in cell-culture media. Then, using the principles of the Griess reagent reaction, we are able to detect minor changes in the secretion of nitric oxide into cell-culture media, essentially creating a primary live-tissue model in a simple procedure. The utility of this model is amplified by the robust genetic and molecular complexity of Drosophila melanogaster, and this assay can be modified to be applicable to other Drosophila tissues or even other small, whole-organism inflammation models.

Novel Whole-tissue Quantitative Assay of Nitric Oxide Levels in Drosophila Neuroinflammatory Response

Levels of the inflammatory cell-signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO) are commonly assayed using Griess reagent. In this protocol, we have created a modified Griess assay utilizing live Drosophila brain tissue in order to detect the secretion of NO in a simple, quantifiable and highly repeatable method.

Neuroinflammation is a complex innate immune response vital to the healthy function of the central nervous system (CNS). Under normal conditions, an ...

Use of a Monocyte Monolayer Assay to Evaluate Fc&#947; Receptor-mediated Phagocytosis

Although originally developed for predicting transfusion outcomes of serologically incompatible blood, the monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) is a highly versatile in vitro assay that can be modified to examine different aspects of antibody and Fc&#947; receptor (Fc&#947;R)-mediated phagocytosis in both research and clinical settings. The assay utilizes adherent monocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from mammalian whole blood. MMA has been described for use in both human and murine investigations. These monocytes express Fc&#947;Rs (e.g., Fc&#947;RI, Fc&#947;RIIA, Fc&#947;RIIB, and Fc&#947;RIIIA) that are involved in immune responses. The MMA exploits the mechanism of Fc&#947;R-mediated interactions, phagocytosis in particular, where antibody-sensitized red blood cells (RBCs) adhere to and/or activate Fc&#947;Rs and are subsequently phagocytosed by the monocytes. In vivo, primarily tissue macrophages found in the spleen and liver carry out Fc&#947;R-mediated phagocytosis of antibody-opsonized RBCs, causing extravascular hemolysis. By evaluating the level of phagocytosis using the MMA, different aspects of the in vivo Fc&#947;R-mediated process can be investigated. Some applications of the MMA include predicting the clinical relevance of allo- or autoantibodies in a transfusion setting, assessing candidate drugs that promote or inhibit phagocytosis, and combining the assay with fluorescent microscopy or traditional Western immunoblotting to investigate the downstream signaling effects of Fc&#947;R-engaging drugs or antibodies. Some limitations include the laboriousness of this technique, which takes a full day from start to finish, and the requirement of research ethics approval in order to work with mammalian blood. However, with diligence and adequate training, the MMA results can be obtained within a 24-h turnover time.

Use of a Monocyte Monolayer Assay to Evaluate Fc&amp;#947; Receptor-mediated Phagocytosis

The monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) is an in vitro assay that utilizes isolated primary monocytes obtained from mammalian peripheral whole blood to evaluate Fc&#947; receptor (Fc&#947;R)-mediated phagocytosis.

Although originally developed for predicting transfusion outcomes of serologically incompatible blood, the monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) is a highly ...

Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-&#945;

The main aim of this protocol is to describe the development and validation of an interferon (IFN)-&#945; single molecule array digital Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) assay. This system enables the quantification of human IFN-&#945; protein with unprecedented sensitivity, and with no cross-reactivity for other species of IFN.
The first key step of the protocol is the choice of the antibody pair, followed by the conjugation of the capture antibody to paramagnetic beads, and biotinylation of the detection antibody. Following this step, different parameters such as assay configuration, detector antibody concentration, and buffer composition can be modified until optimum sensitivity is achieved. Finally, specificity and reproducibility of the method are assessed to ensure confidence in the results. Here, we developed an IFN-&#945; single molecule array assay with a limit of detection of 0.69 fg/mL using high-affinity autoantibodies isolated from patients with biallelic mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) protein causing autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type 1/autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APS1/APECED). Importantly, these antibodies enabled detection of all 13 IFN-&#945; subtypes.
This new methodology allows the detection and quantification of IFN-&#945; protein in human biological samples at attomolar concentrations for the first time. Such a tool will be highly useful in monitoring the levels of this cytokine in human health and disease states, most particularly infection, autoimmunity, and autoinflammation.

Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-&amp;#945;

Here we present a protocol to describe the development and validation of a single molecule array digital ELISA assay, which enables the ultra-sensitive detection of all IFN-&#945; subtypes in human samples.

The main aim of this protocol is to describe the development and validation of an interferon (IFN)-&#945; single molecule array digital Enzyme-Linked ...

Alveolar Macrophage Phagocytosis and Bacteria Clearance in Mice

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) guard the alveolar space of the lung. Phagocytosis by AMs plays a critical role in the defense against invading pathogens, the removal of dead cells or foreign particles, and in the resolution of inflammatory responses and tissue remodeling, processes that are mediated by various surface receptors of the AMs. Here, we report methods for the analysis of the phagocytic function of AMs using in vitro and in vivo assays and experimental strategies to differentiate between the pattern recognition receptor-, complement receptor-, and Fc gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis. Finally, we discuss a method to establish and characterize a P. aeruginosa pneumonia model in mice to assess bacterial clearance in vivo. These assays represent the most common methods to evaluate AM functions and can also be used to study macrophage function and bacterial clearance in other organs.

Here we report common methods to analyze the phagocytic function of murine alveolar macrophages and bacterial clearance from the lung. These methods study in vitro phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate beads and in vivo phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Green Fluorescent Protein. We also describe a method for clearing P. aeruginosa in mice.

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) guard the alveolar space of the lung. Phagocytosis by AMs plays a critical role in the defense against invading pathogens, the ...

Assessing the Cellular Immune Response of the Fruit Fly, Drosophila melanogaster, Using an In Vivo Phagocytosis Assay

In all animals, innate immunity provides an immediate and robust defense against a broad spectrum of pathogens. Humoral and cellular immune responses are the main branches of innate immunity, and many of the factors regulating these responses are evolutionarily conserved between invertebrates and mammals. Phagocytosis, the central component of cellular innate immunity, is carried out by specialized blood cells of the immune system. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has emerged as a powerful genetic model to investigate the molecular mechanisms and physiological impacts of phagocytosis in whole animals. Here we demonstrate an injection-based in vivo phagocytosis assay to quantify the particle uptake and destruction by Drosophila blood cells, hemocytes. The procedure allows researchers to precisely control the particle concentration and dose, making it possible to obtain highly reproducible results in a short amount of time. The experiment is quantitative, easy to perform, and can be applied to screen for host factors that influence pathogen recognition, uptake, and clearance.

Assessing the Cellular Immune Response of the Fruit Fly, Drosophila melanogaster, Using an In Vivo Phagocytosis Assay

This protocol describes an in vivo phagocytosis assay in adult Drosophila melanogaster to quantify phagocyte recognition and clearance of microbial infections.

In all animals, innate immunity provides an immediate and robust defense against a broad spectrum of pathogens. Humoral and cellular immune responses are ...

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets

Even in the absence of antiretroviral drugs, only ~15% of infants breastfed by HIV-infected mothers become infected, suggesting a strong protective effect of breast milk (BM). Unless access to clean water and appropriate infant formula is reliable, the WHO does not recommend cessation of breastfeeding for HIV-infected mothers. Numerous factors likely work in tandem to reduce BM transmission. Breastfed infants ingest ~105&#8722;108 maternal leukocytes daily, though what remains largely unclear is the contribution of these cells to the antiviral qualities of BM. Presently we aimed to isolate cells from human BM in order to measure antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), one of the most essential and pervasive innate immune responses, by BM phagocytes against HIV targets. Cells were isolated from 5 human BM samples obtained at various stages of lactation. Isolation was carried out via gentle centrifugation followed by careful removal of milk fat and repeated washing of the cell pellet. Fluorescent beads coated with HIV envelope (Env) epitope were used as targets for analysis of ADCP. Cells were stained with the CD45 surface marker to identify leukocytes. It was found that ADCP activity was significant above control experiments and reproducibly measurable using an HIV-specific antibody 830A.

Breast milk transmits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), though only ~15% of infants breastfed by HIV-infected mothers become infected. Breastfed infants ingest ~105&#8722;108 maternal leukocytes daily, though these cells are understudied. Here we describe the isolation of breast milk leukocytes and an analysis of their phagocytic capacity.

Even in the absence of antiretroviral drugs, only ~15% of infants breastfed by HIV-infected mothers become infected, suggesting a strong protective effect ...

Measuring Phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia by Human Leukocytes using Flow Cytometry

Invasive pulmonary infection by the mold Aspergillus fumigatus poses a great threat to immunocompromised patients. Inhaled fungal conidia (spores) are cleared from the human lung alveoli by being phagocytosed by innate monocytes and/or neutrophils. This protocol offers a fast and reliable measurement of phagocytosis by flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled conidia for co-incubation with human leukocytes and subsequent counterstaining with an anti-FITC antibody to allow discrimination of internalized and cell-adherent conidia. Major advantages of this protocol are its rapidness, the possibility to combine the assay with cytometric analysis of other cell markers of interest, the simultaneous analysis of monocytes and neutrophils from a single sample and its applicability to other cell wall-bearing fungi or bacteria. Determination of percentages of phagocytosing leukocytes provides a means to microbiologists for evaluating virulence of a pathogen or for comparing pathogen wildtypes and mutants as well as to immunologists for investigating human leukocyte capabilities to combat pathogens.

Measuring Phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia by Human Leukocytes using Flow Cytometry

This protocol provides a fast and reliable method to quantitatively measure phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia by human primary phagocytes using flow cytometry and to discriminate phagocytosis of conidia from mere adhesion to leukocytes.

Invasive pulmonary infection by the mold Aspergillus fumigatus poses a great threat to immunocompromised patients. Inhaled fungal conidia (spores) are ...