Abstract
Macrophages are pivotal cells in immunity against a wide range of pathogens. Their most important property, as suggested by their name, is to ingest pathogens, leading to their killing, the release of inflammatory mediators and antigen processing. On the other hand, macrophages can also be exploited by microbes as a niche for survival in the host, as exemplified by Cryptococcus neoformans. This encapsulated yeast is an important cause of meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised people, particularly those with AIDS. Using culture and microscopy techniques, we present here methods that can be used to quantify phagocytosis of C. neoformans and its killing by macrophages, as well as the viability of the phagocyte after interaction.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Park, B.J., Wannemuehler, K.A., Marston, B.J. et al. (2009) Estimation of the current global burden of cryptococcal meningitis among persons living with HIV/AIDS, Aids 23, 525–530.
Zaragoza, O., Rodrigues, M.L., De Jesus, M. et al. (2009) The capsule of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, Adv Appl Microbiol 68, 133–216.
Del Poeta, M. (2004) Role of phagocytosis in the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans, Eukaryot Cell 3, 1067–1075.
Mukherjee, S., Lee, S.C., Casadevall, A. (1995) Antibodies to Cryptococcus neoformans glucuro-noxylomannan enhance antifungal activity of murine macrophages, Infect Immun 63, 573–579.
Ralph, P., Prichard, J., Cohn, M. (1975) Reticulum cell sarcoma: an effector cell in antiody-dependent cell-mediated immunity, J Immunol 114, 898–905.
Macura, N., Zhang, T., Casadevall, A. (2007) Dependence of macrophage phagocytic efficacy on antibody concentration, Infect Immun 75, 1904–1915.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by funds from NIH grants AI033142, AI033774, and HL059842.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Nicola, A.M., Casadevall, A. (2012). In Vitro Measurement of Phagocytosis and Killing of Cryptococcus neoformans by Macrophages. In: Ashman, R. (eds) Leucocytes. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 844. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-527-5_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-527-5_14
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-526-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-527-5
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols