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Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Visualizing Membrane Ruffle Formation using Scanning Electron Microscopy
Published on: May 27, 2021
Sorting nexin 5 selectively regulates dorsal-ruffle-mediated macropinocytosis in primary macrophages
Jet Phey Lim1, Prajakta Gosavi1, Justine D Mintern1
1The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
Abstract:
The regulation of macropinocytosis, a specialised endocytosis pathway, is important for immune cell function. However, it is not known whether the biogenesis of macropinosomes involves one or more distinct pathways. We previously identified sorting nexin 5 (SNX5) as a regulator of macropinocytosis in macrophages. Here, we show that bone-marrow-derived macrophages from SNX5-knockout mice had a 60-70% reduction in macropinocytic uptake of dextran or ovalbumin, whereas phagocytosis and retrograde transport from the plasma membrane to the Golgi was unaffected. In contrast, deficiency of SNX5 had no effect on macropinocytosis or antigen presentation by dendritic cells. Activation of macrophages with CSF-1 resulted in a localisation of SNX5 to actin-rich ruffles in a manner dependent on receptor tyrosine kinases. SNX5-deficient macrophages showed a dramatic reduction in ruffling on the dorsal surface following CSF-1 receptor activation, whereas peripheral ruffling and cell migration were unaffected. We demonstrate that SNX5 is acting upstream of actin polymerisation following CSF-1 receptor activation. Overall, our findings reveal the important contribution of dorsal ruffing to receptor-activated macropinocytosis in primary macrophages and show that SNX5 selectively regulates macropinosomes derived from the dorsal ruffles.
Insights
Sorting nexin 5 (SNX5) selectively regulates macropinocytosis in macrophages by controlling dorsal ruffling and actin polymerization, crucial for immune cell function.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Macropinocytosis is a vital endocytic pathway for immune cell function.
- The specific pathways governing macropinosome biogenesis remain incompletely understood.
- Sorting nexin 5 (SNX5) was previously implicated in regulating macropinocytosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of SNX5 in macropinocytosis and related cellular processes.
- To determine if SNX5 regulates distinct macropinocytic pathways.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which SNX5 influences macropinosome formation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized SNX5-knockout mice to generate bone-marrow-derived macrophages.
- Assessed macropinocytic uptake using dextran and ovalbumin.
- Analyzed phagocytosis, retrograde transport, and antigen presentation.
- Investigated SNX5 localization and ruffling dynamics upon CSF-1 stimulation.
- Examined the effect of SNX5 deficiency on actin polymerization.
Main Results:
- SNX5-deficient macrophages exhibited a 60-70% reduction in macropinocytic uptake.
- Phagocytosis and retrograde transport were unaffected by SNX5 deficiency.
- SNX5 localized to actin-rich ruffles upon CSF-1 activation, dependent on receptor tyrosine kinases.
- SNX5 deficiency significantly impaired dorsal ruffling and macropinosome formation from dorsal ruffles.
- SNX5 acts upstream of actin polymerization in CSF-1-induced macropinocytosis.
Conclusions:
- SNX5 plays a critical, selective role in receptor-activated macropinocytosis in macrophages.
- Dorsal ruffling is a key contributor to macropinosome biogenesis in primary macrophages.
- SNX5 regulates macropinosomes specifically derived from dorsal ruffles, independent of phagocytosis or dendritic cell function.
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