ABSTRACT
Phagocytosis is performed by phagocytes; the nomenclature varies with their location in the body (e.g., blood neutrophils and tissue macrophages) and with the species (e.g., earthworms, coelomocytes, and birds, heterophils). This chapter describes phagocytosis using flow cytometry and murine peritoneal macrophages as a model. In this assay, cells are exposed to fluorescent beads or yeast, and, after an appropriate period of incubation, the number of engulfed beads is determined by flow cytometry or visually on a microscope. The different control groups run during the assay in flow cytometry ensure that the active phenomenon of phagocytosis is evaluated. This assay may be run in parallel with the oxidative burst determination and/or the antigen-processing assay, allowing for a more complete evaluation of the role of macrophages in natural and specific immune responses.
