Phagocytosis Assay

This document describes a protocol for evaluation of nanoparticle internalization by phagocytic cells, where the foreign substances are isolated via a cell membrane enclosure and degraded by the phagolysosome. Phagocytosis is a receptor mediated endocytosis specific to the phagocytic cells, e.g. cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS). Phagocytosis is an active process and requires actin polymerization. There are four main receptors which mediate phagocytic uptake. Phagocytosis via three of these receptors (complement receptor (CR), FcγR receptor, and mannose receptor (MR)) is accompanied by inflammatory reactions (cytokine secretion). Phagocytosis via the fourth receptor (scavenger receptor (SR)) is not accompanied by inflammatory responses.