Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025

A Macrophage Reporter Cell Assay to Examine Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated NF-kB/AP-1 Signaling on Adsorbed Protein Layers on Polymeric Surfaces
Published on: January 7, 2020
Macrophage responses to the physical burden of cell-sized particles
Hua Yue1, Lan Yuan, Weiwei Zhang
1State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. ghma@ipe.ac.cn weiwei@ipe.ac.cn.
Abstract:
The role of a biophysical signal on cell response has excited tremendous interest recently. Herein, we exploited an "intake method" together with uniform autofluorescent cell-sized particles to investigate macrophage responses against different particle burdens. Our work not only revealed an insatiable macrophage uptake of cell-sized microparticles (MPs) but also widened the theoretical size and volume range for particle entry. MPs outperform NPs in the utmost volume of intracellular particles, indicating a converse size-associated event than originally anticipated. Such a superior volume burden (2.64-fold of the cell volume) for MPs is highly correlated to less membrane loss (19-fold below that for NPs) and more evident deformation of the cell membrane/nucleus. In addition, the cells with a high burden of MPs exhibit moderate migration activity, which is in line with mild cytokine release. These results highlight the indispensable role of physical burden on the regulation of macrophage functions, providing important views for desired biological outcomes and minimal side effects.
Related Concept Videos
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Phagocytosis
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
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...

