Phagocytosis and cellular metabolism (a study on mouse and human macrophages in culture)

The uptake of foreign particles by mouse and human macrophages influenced by various metabolic inhibitors was examined in order to obtain further informations about the energy-dependent mechanisms which are involved in the phagocytic process. The inhibitors employed were iodoacetate, fluoroacetate, fluoride, malonate, sodium azide, 2-4-dinitrophenol, cycloheximide and ouabain. These substances were tested on monolayer cultures and the phagocytosis assay was performed by using zymosan suspension in the nutrient media. The quantitation of phagocytosis was obtained by the direct count of intracellular zymosan particles (immersion microscopy, 100x) and the results were evaluated and compared by biometrical analysis. The effects of these inhibitors on phagocytosis and their relation with the metabolic intracellular pathways are discussed.