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Related Concept Videos

Phagocytosis00:41

Phagocytosis

83.1K
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.
83.1K
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

3.2K
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...
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Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

4.0K
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...
4.0K
Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome01:36

Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome

7.3K
Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
7.3K
Endocytosis01:16

Endocytosis

9.6K
Eukaryotic cells acquire nutrients for growth and proliferation. Nutrients and other molecules that require degradation are internalized from the extracellular space by a process called endocytosis. The term ‘endocytosis' was first coined by Christian de Duve in 1963.
Endocytosis always begins with the plasma membrane enclosing an incoming molecule to form a transport vesicle which, in some cases, can be coated with a protein called ‘clathrin.' Endocytosed material is either...
9.6K
Vesicular Trasport: Endocytosis, Transcytosis and Exocytosis01:18

Vesicular Trasport: Endocytosis, Transcytosis and Exocytosis

1.6K
Vesicular transport is a cellular process that encompasses the engulfment of particles or dissolved substances by cells. It involves endocytosis, transcytosis, and exocytosis.
Endocytosis is a cellular mechanism that involves the inward folding of the cell membrane to create vesicles that capture and transport large drug molecules. This process comprises two distinct methods: pinocytosis (often referred to as "cell drinking") and phagocytosis (often referred to as "cell...
1.6K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis
08:04

Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis

Published on: February 3, 2017

16.8K

Phagocytosis at a glance.

Manon Depierre1, Chiara Pompili1, Florence Niedergang1

  • 1Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France.

Journal of Cell Science
|July 1, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Phagocytosis is a cellular process for engulfing particles, involving actin cytoskeleton forces and membrane dynamics. This essential scavenging mechanism is vital for nutrient uptake and immune responses in eukaryotes.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Phagocytosis is a fundamental cellular process for internalizing large particles, microorganisms, and debris.
  • It involves specific cell surface receptors, actin cytoskeleton dynamics, and intracellular compartments for efficient engulfment and processing.
  • This process is critical for both nutrient acquisition in single-celled organisms and immune surveillance and tissue homeostasis in multicellular organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the key molecular and cellular mechanisms driving phagocytosis.
  • To detail the sequential steps from particle recognition to degradation and membrane recycling.
  • To highlight the conserved and divergent roles of phagocytosis across eukaryotic evolution.

Main Methods:

Keywords:
ActinClearanceDegradationInternalisationMacrophagesReceptors

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

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Time-lapse 3D Imaging of Phagocytosis by Mouse Macrophages
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Time-lapse 3D Imaging of Phagocytosis by Mouse Macrophages

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Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis
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Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis

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

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Time-lapse 3D Imaging of Phagocytosis by Mouse Macrophages
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Time-lapse 3D Imaging of Phagocytosis by Mouse Macrophages

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  • Analysis of receptor-mediated signaling pathways.
  • Investigation of actin cytoskeleton rearrangements during particle engulfment.
  • Studies on phagosome maturation, fusion, and fission dynamics.
  • Examination of membrane trafficking and recycling post-phagocytosis.

    • Main Results:

    • Cell surface receptors initiate membrane deformation, powered by the actin cytoskeleton.
    • Intracellular compartments are crucial for phagosome maturation, leading to phagolysosome formation for degradation.
    • A resolution phase facilitates the recycling of membranes and soluble components, optimizing cellular resource management.

    Conclusions:

    • Phagocytosis is a complex, multi-step process essential for cellular survival, tissue homeostasis, and immune defense.
    • Understanding phagocytosis mechanisms provides insights into diseases involving immune dysfunction and cellular debris accumulation.
    • The study underscores the conserved importance of phagocytosis from single-celled organisms to complex immune systems.