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Using Flow Cytometry to Analyze Cryptococcus Infection of Macrophages
Robert J Evans1,2,3, Kerstin Voelz1, Simon A Johnston2,3
1Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TT, UK.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|November 6, 2016
Summary
Flow cytometry offers robust quantification of host-pathogen interactions, enabling detailed study of rare infection events. This technique effectively measures pathogen uptake, replication, and expulsion by host cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Flow cytometry is an advanced analytical method for studying host-pathogen interactions.
- It surpasses traditional methods like fluorescence microscopy in quantifying infected cells, especially rare events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail flow cytometry methods for analyzing host-intracellular pathogen interactions.
- To demonstrate the application of these methods for studying Cryptococcus neoformans and similar pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing flow cytometry to quantify host cell infection by intracellular pathogens.
- Measuring key interaction events: phagocytosis, intracellular replication, and vomocytosis.
Main Results:
- Flow cytometry enables precise quantification of infected cells and rare infection events.
- Established methods allow for detailed analysis of pathogen lifecycle within host cells.
Conclusions:
- Flow cytometry is a powerful tool for dissecting host-pathogen dynamics.
- The described methods are broadly applicable to the study of various intracellular pathogens.
