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Related Concept Videos

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

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...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

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 by phagocytes.
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
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...
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
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...
Phagocytosis00:41

Phagocytosis

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.The objective of phagocytosis is often destruction. Cells use phagocytosis to eliminate unwelcome visitors, like pathogens (e.g., viruses and bacteria). It is perhaps unsurprising, that many...
Phagocytosis00:41

Phagocytosis

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.
The objective of phagocytosis is often destruction. Cells use phagocytosis to eliminate unwelcome visitors, like pathogens (e.g., viruses and bacteria). Many immune system cells, including...

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Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis
08:04

Visualizing the Early Stages of Phagocytosis

Published on: February 3, 2017

How phagocytic cells kill bacteria: Lessons from a professional killer.

Otmane Lamrabet1,2, Pierre Cosson2

  • 1Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, University City, UAE.

FEBS Open Bio
|June 27, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Professional phagocytic cells use conserved mechanisms to ingest and kill bacteria. This review explores lysozyme

Keywords:
Dictyostelium discoideumantibacterial mechanismsbacterial killinginnate immunitylysosomal enzymesphagocytosis

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Professional phagocytes (neutrophils, macrophages) and soil amoebae (Dictyostelium discoideum) share conserved mechanisms for bacterial ingestion and killing.
  • Bacterial destruction occurs within phagosomes via reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, bactericidal ions, lysosomal enzymes, and membrane-permeabilizing peptides.
  • Key questions remain regarding the completeness, relative contribution, and species specificity of these antibacterial mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms employed by Dictyostelium discoideum and mammalian phagocytes for eliminating non-pathogenic bacteria.
  • To focus on three specific aspects: the dual role of lysozyme, the specificity of antibacterial actions, and the redundancy of the antibacterial arsenal.
  • To provide a framework for studying phagocyte interactions with pathogenic bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review examining evolutionary conserved mechanisms of phagocytosis and bacterial killing.
  • Analysis of antibacterial systems including reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, ion accumulation, lysosomal enzymes, and antimicrobial peptides.
  • Focus on studies involving Dictyostelium discoideum and mammalian phagocytes interacting with non-pathogenic bacteria.

Main Results:

  • Phagocytes utilize multiple, sophisticated strategies to eliminate diverse microorganisms.
  • Lysozyme plays a dual role in bacterial killing.
  • Antibacterial mechanisms exhibit specificity and redundancy, contributing to effective microbial clearance.

Conclusions:

  • Phagocytic cells possess a complex and redundant arsenal for combating microbial threats.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for differentiating responses to non-pathogenic versus pathogenic bacteria.
  • This review highlights the intricate strategies of phagocytes and offers a foundation for future research on host-pathogen interactions.