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Updated: Apr 3, 2026
Imaging the Neutrophil Phagosome and Cytoplasm Using a Ratiometric pH Indicator
Published on: April 5, 2017
Human neutrophils dump Candida glabrata after intracellular killing
Fabian Essig1, Kerstin Hünniger2, Stefanie Dietrich3
1Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany; Center for Sepsis Control and Care, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
Interaction between fungal pathogens and human phagocytes can lead to remarkably variable outcomes, ranging from intracellular killing to prolonged survival and replication of the pathogen in the host cell. Using live cell imaging we observed primary human neutrophils that release phagocytosed Candida glabrata yeast cells after intracellular killing. This process, for which we propose the name "dumping", adds a new outcome to phagocyte-fungus interaction which may be of potential immunological importance as it allows professional antigen presenting cells to take up and process neutrophil-inactivated pathogens that in their viable state are able to evade intracellular degradation in these cells.
Insights
Human neutrophils can release killed Candida glabrata yeast cells, a process termed "dumping". This newly identified interaction facilitates antigen uptake by immune cells, impacting fungal pathogen defense strategies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Phagocyte-pathogen interactions have diverse outcomes, from pathogen killing to host cell survival.
- Fungal pathogens like Candida glabrata can evade intracellular killing within phagocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate novel mechanisms of interaction between human neutrophils and Candida glabrata.
- To characterize a previously undescribed outcome of phagocyte-fungal pathogen interaction.
Main Methods:
- Live cell imaging of primary human neutrophils.
- Observation of phagocytosis and intracellular processing of Candida glabrata.
Main Results:
- Human neutrophils were observed to release phagocytosed Candida glabrata after intracellular killing.
- This release process, termed "dumping", represents a new mode of interaction.
- Neutrophil-inactivated fungi released via dumping are accessible to antigen-presenting cells.
Conclusions:
- "Dumping" is a novel mechanism in neutrophil-fungal pathogen interactions.
- This process enhances the ability of antigen-presenting cells to process fungal antigens.
- Dumping may play a significant role in the host immune response to fungal infections.
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