Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

7.1K
Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
7.1K
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

3.8K
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
3.8K
Phagocytosis00:41

Phagocytosis

6.7K
Cells pull particles inward and engulf them in spherical vesicles in an energy-requiring process called endocytosis. Phagocytosis ("cellular eating") is one of three major types of endocytosis. Cells use phagocytosis to take in large objects, such as other cells (or their debris), bacteria, and even viruses.
The objective of phagocytosis is often destruction. Cells use phagocytosis to eliminate unwelcome visitors, like pathogens (e.g., viruses and bacteria). Many immune system cells,...
6.7K
Phagocytosis00:41

Phagocytosis

64.6K
Cells pull particles inward and engulf them in spherical vesicles in an energy-requiring process called endocytosis. Phagocytosis (“cellular eating”) is one of three major types of endocytosis. Cells use phagocytosis to take in large objects—such as other cells (or their debris), bacteria, and even viruses.
64.6K
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

3.0K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
3.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Real world experience of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use in Australian children.

Thrombosis research·2026
Same author

Whole genome sequencing-powered ctDNA sequencing for breast cancer detection.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·2025
Same author

Global practitioner assessment and management of mental fatigue and mental recovery in high-performance sport: A need for evidence-based best-practice guidelines.

Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports·2023
Same author

Critical Aspects of Material Selection in the Packaging and Transporting of Returned Extraterrestrial Samples.

Astrobiology·2023
Same author

Heart transplantation outcomes in cardiac sarcoidosis.

The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation·2021
Same author

Trends and Correlates of Mean Lung Dose in Patients Receiving Breast Radiotherapy in a Single Institution from 2014 to 2018.

Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain))·2020
Same journal

Foreword.

Immunology today·2020
Same journal

The origin and significance of anti-DNA antibodies.

Immunology today·2014
Same journal

Mutations of class II MHC molecules.

Immunology today·2014
Same journal

Antigen processing at the molecular level.

Immunology today·2014
Same journal

Phenotypically and functionally distinct T-cell subsets in anti-tumor responses.

Immunology today·2014
Same journal

Are MHC class II-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes important?

Immunology today·2014
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 22, 2026

"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy TIRFM
10:07

"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy TIRFM

Published on: August 26, 2016

6.0K

Stimulate the phagocytes.

S Russell1

  • 1Member of the Department of Comparative and Experimental Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Immunology Today
|October 8, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study explores macrophage activation for fighting cancer and infections. Researchers investigated how macrophages target and eliminate neoplastic cells and microbes, and their therapeutic potential.

More Related Videos

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Regulation of Macrophage Phagocytosis; Quantitation and Imaging
09:10

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Regulation of Macrophage Phagocytosis; Quantitation and Imaging

Published on: July 16, 2021

2.5K
Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis
08:04

Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis

Published on: February 3, 2017

16.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 22, 2026

"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy TIRFM
10:07

"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy TIRFM

Published on: August 26, 2016

6.0K
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Regulation of Macrophage Phagocytosis; Quantitation and Imaging
09:10

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Regulation of Macrophage Phagocytosis; Quantitation and Imaging

Published on: July 16, 2021

2.5K
Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis
08:04

Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis

Published on: February 3, 2017

16.4K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • George Bernard Shaw's "stimulate the phagocytes" concept.
  • Host defense mechanisms against neoplastic cells and microorganisms.
  • The role of macrophages in immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate macrophage activation for host defense.
  • To understand macrophage characteristics, stimulation, and cytotoxic effects.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of activated macrophages.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of macrophages targeting tumor cells and microorganisms.
  • Review of current research on macrophage activation pathways.
  • Discussion of cytotoxic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Macrophages exhibit diverse characteristics depending on the target (neoplastic cells vs. microorganisms).
  • Specific stimuli can activate macrophages for enhanced cytotoxicity.
  • Macrophages mediate killing through various mechanisms, including direct contact and cytokine release.
  • Activated macrophages show significant therapeutic potential in preclinical models.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophage activation is a crucial mechanism for combating both cancer and infections.
  • Understanding macrophage behavior offers avenues for novel immunotherapies.
  • Further research is warranted to translate these findings into clinical applications.