鰤诺卡氏菌对大口黑鲈头肾巨噬细胞的侵染过程

【背景】鱼类诺卡氏菌病潜伏期和病程较长,感染率和死亡率较高,给水产养殖业带来较大的经济损失,其病原鰤诺卡氏菌(Nocardia seriolae)是胞内寄生菌,侵入细胞后引起慢性感染是主要的致病机制。【目的】构建鰤诺卡氏菌侵染大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)头肾巨噬细胞体外模型,观察鰤诺卡氏菌侵染巨噬细胞的过程并探究鰤诺卡氏菌对巨噬细胞的凋亡作用。【方法】采用密度梯度离心法分离巨噬细胞,通过特异性染色和PCR扩增巨噬细胞表达基因mpeg1对细胞进行鉴定,并通过CCK-8法和氧呼吸暴发活性测定检测巨噬细胞的活性;通过倒置荧光显微镜和流式细胞术观察侵染过程中细菌与细胞的形态与数量变化;通过双荧光流式细胞术检测、乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase, LDH)释放试验及线粒体膜电位检测,探究鰤诺卡氏菌对巨噬细胞的凋亡作用。【结果】从大口黑鲈头肾分离获得纯度高的巨噬细胞,经染色和PCR法鉴定为巨噬细胞;筛选出最优的体外培养条件为1640培养基+1%青霉素链霉素+1%胎牛血清。在脂多糖刺激后,巨噬细胞的氧呼吸暴发能力显著提高(P<0.05)。GFP-鰤诺卡氏菌侵染细胞2 h后细菌被细胞吞噬,4 h细胞变圆且贴壁率降低,6 h细菌大量繁殖并包围细胞,8 h后细胞大量死亡。凋亡相关实验结果表明,侵染初期巨噬细胞凋亡率增加,LDH释放增加,线粒体膜电位下降;随着侵染时间延长,细胞凋亡率下降、LDH释放量及线粒体膜电位下降减少,说明鰤诺卡氏菌对巨噬细胞起先促进后抑制凋亡的作用。【结论】通过密度梯度离心法成功分离大口黑鲈头肾巨噬细胞,并通过鰤诺卡氏菌侵染细胞后初步摸清鰤诺卡细菌在细胞水平的致病机理,建立了鰤诺卡氏菌侵染大口黑鲈头肾巨噬细胞的体外模型;证实了鰤诺卡氏菌可侵染巨噬细胞并抑制细胞凋亡,从而达到在巨噬细胞内存活,为进一步开展鰤诺卡氏菌与巨噬细胞相互作用并阐明鰤诺卡氏菌的致病机制奠定了研究基础。     

表达GFP/mCherry白色念珠菌的构建及其在与巨噬细胞互作中的应用

白色念珠菌(Candida albicans)被巨噬细胞吞噬的效率与被吞噬后的形态观察是研究白色念珠菌与巨噬细胞互作的重要内容。【目的】以野生型菌株SC5314为母本,构建能够表达绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent protein, GFP)/mCherry的白色念珠菌,应用于巨噬细胞与白色念珠菌互作的研究。【方法】通过生长与形态观察、细胞活性检测及小鼠系统性感染模型确定荧光蛋白的表达对菌株生长、形态与毒力的影响;在共培养条件下,通过流式细胞术及荧光显微镜检测巨噬细胞的吞噬率及白色念珠菌的形态变化。【结果】构建的菌株在表型上与野生型菌株一致,并可用于在共培养下测定巨噬细胞吞噬率的流式细胞术以及观察白色念珠菌的形态变化。【结论】表达荧光蛋白的菌株为研究巨噬细胞与白色念珠菌的互作提供了新方法。     

表达幽门螺杆菌粘附素保守区的减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌免疫治疗作用的研究

探讨表达幽门螺杆菌（Helicobacter pylori,Hp）粘附素保守区（AB）的减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌X4072（pYA248-AB）的免疫治疗效果,以及可能的免疫治疗机制,以确定X4072（pYA248-AB）在Hp疫苗研制中的应用价值.建立Hp感染小鼠模型,在该模型中评价X4072（pYA248-AB）治疗Hp感染的效果,运用细菌培养法观察Hp根除率及定植量的改变,流式细胞术分析免疫后小鼠脾细胞亚型,IL-2和IL-4细胞依赖株的细胞测活法检测细胞因子,ELISA法检测小鼠血清及肠液中抗AB抗体产生情况.结果表明,免疫治疗后疫苗治疗组根除率为53.3%,显著高于X4072（pYA248）和PBS对照组（P＜0.01）.未根除Hp的小鼠,疫苗治疗组Hp的定植密度明显低于其他两组（P＜0.01）.应用流式细胞仪分析免疫小鼠脾CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T淋巴细胞的比值时,发现疫苗治疗组和鼠伤寒菌对照组的比值均显著高于PBS对照组（P＜0.05）,而疫苗治疗组的比值又显著高于鼠伤寒菌对照组（P＜0.05）.进一步对细胞因子进行分析发现,与PBS对照组相比免疫治疗组和鼠伤寒菌对照组IL-2和IL-4明显升高(P＜0.05).同时,免疫治疗组与鼠伤寒菌对照组相比,IL-4增高明显(P＜0.05).针对AB的抗体测定结果发现,仅在免疫治疗组的小鼠肠液中检测到了IgA抗体.免疫治疗组IgG抗体滴度较其他两组明显升高,第二次加强免疫后2周即上升至1∶10 000.动物实验表明,X4072（pYA248-AB）能根除或显著降低Hp在小鼠胃内的定植,其可能的免疫治疗机制包括提高CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值,诱导Th1和Th2反应以及产生针对AB的特异性抗体.     

PLA2R-IgG间接荧光定量免疫层析分析的构建与应用

目的 血清抗磷脂酶A2受体抗体IgG（PLA2R-IgG）水平是诊断和治疗特发性膜性肾病（IMN）的重要依据,而目前国内外常规检测手段主要是酶免法。为提升检测的便捷性,同时满足灵敏、宽量程分析需求,本研究构建了一种新的PLA2R-IgG检测技术。方法 采用包裹铕元素的微球示踪,对反应步骤进行选择,对微球制备液的pH、微球-抗体反应比例和反应时间优化,本文基于间接法构建了PLA2R-IgG的荧光定量免疫层析检测方法,并进行了初步临床评价。结果 本方法的灵敏度达0.7 RU/ml,标准曲线方程为y=0.771x-1.437,相关系数0.995,线性测量范围为0.7~1 500 RU/ml,回收率为86.27%~98.98%,平均批内变异系数为8.13%,交叉反应率均小于0.1%,试剂37℃储存10 d稳定。本方法与市售酶免试剂盒相关性为0.953,阴阳性判断一致,对IMN的检出率为76.9%。结论 采用两步法反应的PLA2R-IgG间接荧光定量免疫层析分析,快速、灵敏、准确,具有临床实用性。     

肠炎沙门氏菌基因工程减毒株的免疫效果及安全性评价

[背景] 相较于灭活疫苗和弱毒疫苗,沙门氏菌（Salmonella）基因工程减毒活疫苗具有的优越性逐渐显现,研究也不断深入。[目的] 探究肠炎沙门氏菌G9菌株的4株基因缺失株G9（ΔhilA）、G9（ΔhilD）、G9（ΔssrABhilA）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）的免疫效果及生物安全性。[方法] 以肠炎沙门氏菌基因缺失菌株G9（ΔhilA）、G9（ΔhilD）、G9（ΔssrABhilA）、G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）及其亲本菌株G9的最佳免疫剂量接种小鼠后,利用间接ELISA法、流式细胞术、MTT法、小鼠攻毒试验及倾注平板法等对各缺失株的免疫效果和安全性进行评价。[结果] G9（ΔhilD）诱导血清IgG抗体效价最高,G9（ΔhilD）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）产生肠黏膜IgA抗体效价最高,4株缺失菌诱导IL-4、IL-10、IFN-γ、TNF-β、MCP-1细胞因子的能力与亲本株G9差异不显著（P>0.05）,产生的CD4⁺/CD3⁺、CD8⁺/CD3⁺ T细胞比率呈上升趋势,而且G9（ΔssrABhilA）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）最高;G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）诱发的脾淋巴细胞增殖指数最高;免疫小鼠后4株缺失株对G9攻毒提供的保护率为80%-100%,而且小鼠肝脏、脾脏及小肠绒毛无明显病理变化,对鼠伤寒沙门氏菌攻毒提供的保护率为50%-80%;接种后12 d,小鼠肝脏、脾脏及小肠中定殖的菌株能基本清除,而且在体外能连续稳定传代30代。[结论] G9（ΔhilA）、G9（ΔhilD）、G9（ΔssrABhilA）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）对小鼠的免疫效果和生物安全性均良好,有成为肠炎沙门氏菌基因工程减毒活疫苗的可能。     

植物乳杆菌P-8对小鼠免疫功能的调节作用研究

摘要 目的：不同类型的益生菌株免疫调节功能各异。本文旨在评价植物乳杆菌P-8（Lactobacillus plantarum P-8）对小鼠免疫功能的调控作用及机制。方法：C57BL/6J小鼠每日灌胃给予不同剂量的植物乳杆菌P-8（0. 25 mg/kg、0.5 mg/kg、1.5 mg/kg）,连续30天,记录小鼠一般情况。给药结束后处死动物,测定小鼠脏器/体重比;小鼠碳廓清实验、小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬鸡红细胞实验评价各组小鼠的单核-巨噬细胞功能;血清溶血素测定、抗体生成细胞实验评价各组小鼠的体液免疫功能;脾淋巴细胞转化实验、迟发型变态反应实验评价各组小鼠的细胞免疫功能;NK细胞的活性测定实验评价小鼠的NK细胞活性。结果：与对照组相比,低、中、高剂量组植物乳杆菌P-8对小鼠脏器/体重比值差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;且植物乳杆菌P-8可显著提高小鼠的碳廓清能力、小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬鸡红细胞能力、半数溶血值、二硝基氟苯诱导的小鼠迟发型变态反应及NK细胞活力（P均<0.05）。结论：植物乳杆菌P-8可通过提高单核-巨噬细胞功能、体液免疫功能、细胞免疫功能及NK细胞活力增强小鼠的免疫功能。     

伪结核棒状杆菌感染影响巨噬细胞IL-1α表达、成熟及分泌的机制研究

【目的】伪结核棒状杆菌(Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis,Cp)感染动物常引起内脏和体表淋巴结脓肿,以被感染部位炎性细胞因子大量增加为特征。研究Cp感染小鼠巨噬细胞对IL-1α成熟分泌的影响及机制。【方法】采用荧光定量PCR、ELISA和Western blotting等方法,首先检测Cp(ATCC19410、XH02)及其磷脂酶D基因(pld)缺失株(ATCC19410Δpld、XH02Δpld)感染巨噬细胞对IL-1α表达及成熟分泌的影响,进而以Ca²⁺螯合剂(EDTA、EGTA+Mg²⁺和BAPTA-AM)、calpain抑制剂(calpain inhibitor Ⅲ、calpain inhibitor Ⅳ和EST)处理巨噬细胞,观察对Cp感染介导IL-1α成熟分泌的影响。【结果】Cp感染巨噬细胞后,IL-1α mRNA表达及分泌显著增加,与ATCC19410、XH02感染巨噬细胞相比,ATCC19410Δpld、XH02Δpld感染细胞IL-1α表达及分泌显著下降。Cp感染引起巨噬细胞内Ca²⁺浓度显著增加,calpain活性增强,而缺失pld的Cp感染巨噬细胞内Ca²⁺浓度显著下降,calpain活性降低。EDTA、EGTA+Mg²⁺、BAPTA-AM、calpain inhibitor Ⅲ、calpain inhibitor Ⅳ处理Cp感染的巨噬细胞,巨噬细胞的IL-1α表达及分泌显著下降。【结论】Cp感染可激活巨噬细胞IL-1α表达和成熟分泌,磷脂酶D参与Cp感染巨噬细胞介导的IL-1α成熟分泌。Cp感染巨噬细胞介导IL-1α成熟与分泌与胞内Ca²⁺浓度增加、激活钙蛋白酶有关。     

应用双光子显微镜和流式细胞仪定性及定量确定小鼠巨噬细胞的吞噬功能

建立了流式细胞仪和双光子激光共聚焦荧光显微镜进行定性和定量检测小鼠巨噬细胞吞噬鸡红细胞的方法,并同传统光学显微镜细胞化学染色观察方法相比较,探讨其检测巨噬细胞吞噬效应的优越性。常规方法获取小鼠腹腔和脾脏巨噬细胞,制备巨噬细胞悬液。常规制备鸡红细胞,计数并调整活细胞数,用5-二醋酸羧基荧光素琥珀酸单胞菌酯(5-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester,CFSE)染色,与巨噬细胞共温育一定时间后,小鼠巨噬细胞特异性荧光抗体F4/80标记巨噬细胞。应用流式细胞仪检测巨噬细胞中CFSE阳性百分率来表示巨噬细胞吞噬率;应用双光子显微镜观察被吞噬的CFSE阳性鸡红细胞动态分布情况。同时,采用传统光学显微镜吉姆萨染色观察巨噬细胞吞噬百分率。结果显示,流式细胞仪结合双光子显微镜检测巨噬细胞吞噬率与传统的显微镜计数法比较,两者有明显的正相关性。双光子显微镜和流式细胞仪可以定性与定量检测巨噬细胞吞噬功能,该方法具有灵敏、快捷、重复性好以及准确率高的特点,是进行免疫学研究的可行方法。     

Stra 8基因的激活与精原干细胞的特异性分化研究

视黄酸对维持正常的雄性睾丸结构和功能起着重要的作用。近来的研究发现,在雄性生殖腺发育过程中有一组基因,它们可以被视黄酸特异性的诱导活化,称为Stra（Stimulated by Retinoic Acid）基因。从鼠源分离得到的Stra8 基因编码一种细胞质蛋白,该基因只特异性的在成熟雄性生殖细胞中表达,其功能被认为与精子形成有关。为研究Stra8 基因的表达特性,我们从小鼠的基因组中克隆了Stra8 基因的启动子序列（1.4kb）。将Stra8 基因的1.4kb启动子序列克隆到pEGFP-1载体的EGFP基因之前,构建成由Stra8 基因1.4kb启动子序列调控表达绿色荧光蛋白的pStra8-EGFP载体。将其分别转化到不同类型的细胞中,如小鼠ES-129细胞、人胎儿胰腺干细胞、小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞和小鼠精原干细胞等,通过荧光显微镜观察发现,绿色荧光蛋白只在小鼠精原干细胞中表达,表明Stra8基因是组织特异性表达的基因。将pStra8-EGFP转化小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,经G418筛选2周后,用视黄酸诱导,12h培养后,有一部分转化pStra8-EGFP载体的细胞表达绿色荧光蛋白。RT-PCR证明这些细胞中有精原干细胞特异表达基因Stra8 的转录,还有生殖细胞特异表达基因CyclinA8 和Oct4的转录,这些结果说明小鼠骨髓间充质细胞经视黄酸的诱导可以向生殖细胞方向分化。     

Stra 8基因的激活与精原干细胞的特异性分化研究

视黄酸对维持正常的雄性睾丸结构和功能起着重要的作用。近来的研究发现,在雄性生殖腺发育过程中有一组基因,它们可以被视黄酸特异性的诱导活化,称为Stra（Stimulated by Retinoic Acid）基因。从鼠源分离得到的Stra8 基因编码一种细胞质蛋白,该基因只特异性的在成熟雄性生殖细胞中表达,其功能被认为与精子形成有关。为研究Stra8 基因的表达特性,我们从小鼠的基因组中克隆了Stra8 基因的启动子序列（1.4kb）。将Stra8 基因的1.4kb启动子序列克隆到pEGFP-1载体的EGFP基因之前,构建成由Stra8 基因1.4kb启动子序列调控表达绿色荧光蛋白的pStra8-EGFP载体。将其分别转化到不同类型的细胞中,如小鼠ES-129细胞、人胎儿胰腺干细胞、小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞和小鼠精原干细胞等,通过荧光显微镜观察发现,绿色荧光蛋白只在小鼠精原干细胞中表达,表明Stra8基因是组织特异性表达的基因。将pStra8-EGFP转化小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,经G418筛选2周后,用视黄酸诱导,12h培养后,有一部分转化pStra8-EGFP载体的细胞表达绿色荧光蛋白。RT-PCR证明这些细胞中有精原干细胞特异表达基因Stra8 的转录,还有生殖细胞特异表达基因CyclinA8 和Oct4的转录,这些结果说明小鼠骨髓间充质细胞经视黄酸的诱导可以向生殖细胞方向分化。     

Flow cytometric, phase-resolved fluorescence measurement of propidium iodide uptake in macrophages containing phagocytized fluorescent microspheres

BACKGROUND: Spectral interference (overlap) from phagocytosed green-yellow (GY) microspheres in the flow cytometric, red fluorescence emission measurement channel causes errors in quantifying damaged/dead alveolar macrophages by uptake of propidium iodide. METHODS: Particle burdens of uniform GY fluorescent microspheres phagocytosed by rat alveolar macrophages and the discrimination of damaged/dead cells as indexed by propidium iodide uptake were assessed with conventional and phase-sensitive flow cytometry. RESULTS: The fluorescence spectral emission from phagocytosed microspheres partly overlapped the propidium iodide red fluorescence emission and interfered with the measurement of damaged/dead cells when using conventional flow cytometry without subtractive compensation. This caused errors when estimating the percentage of nonviable, propidium iodide-positive, phagocytic macrophages. The interference was eliminated by employing phase-sensitive detection in the red fluorescence measurement channel based on differences in fluorescence lifetimes between the fluorescent microspheres and propidium iodide. Intrinsic cellular autofluorescence, whose fluorescence lifetime is approximately the same as that of the phagocytosed microspheres, also was eliminated in the phase-sensitive detection process. Because there was no detectable spectral interference of propidium iodide in the green fluorescence (phagocytosis) measurement channel, conventional fluorescence detection was employed. CONCLUSIONS: Phase-resolved, red fluorescence emission measurement eliminates spectral overlap errors caused by autofluorescent phagocytes that contain fluorescent microspheres in the analyses of propidium iodide uptake.Cytometry 39:45-55, 2000. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Differentiation of HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells: simultaneous determination of phagocytic activity and cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry

Phagocytosis of fluorescent microspheres by HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells following induction of differentiation with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was monitored using flow cytometry. Initiation of phagocytic capability following initiation of differentiation with 1.5% DMSO coincided with the attainment of respiratory burst activity as measured by NBT (nitro blue tetrazolium) reduction; the degree of phagocytic activity was dependent upon parameters such as microsphere size, microsphere number, and exposure time. Ingestion of fluorescent microspheres did not interfere with the measurement of DNA content using propidium iodide; thus, simultaneous determination of phagocytic activity and the cell cycle phase was possible. Accumulation of cells in the G1/G0 phase of the cell cycle following DMSO treatment was correlated with the acquisition of the capacity to phagocytize. Analysis of two-parameter correlated data also indicated that phagocytosis is coupled with residence in the G1/G0 phase of the cell cycle, further suggesting that the ability to phagocytize fluorescent microspheres is associated with end-stage differentiation.     

细胞计数板在荧光显微镜观察B细胞吞噬现象的应用探讨

目的:基于细胞计数板建立一种简单、快速使用免疫荧光显微镜观察B淋巴细胞吞噬卡介苗(BCG)现象的新方法,对即将进行流式细胞检测的样品进行质控,提高流式细胞术检测吞噬率的稳定性,同时为流式细胞仪检测吞噬率提供镜下依据。方法:B细胞与FITC标记的BCG共培养24 h后,PE anti-human CD19抗体直接标记细胞膜,应用细胞计数板在荧光显微镜下观察B细胞吞噬现象,流式细胞仪检测吞噬率。结果:应用细胞计数板在荧光镜下可观察到B细胞与BCG的荧光标记及B细胞与BCG共标记现象,证实B细胞可吞噬BCG,流式细胞仪检测结果显示吞噬率为13.9%。结论:应用细胞计数板在荧光镜下可观察B细胞吞噬现象,且操作简便快速,能对流式细胞检测的样品进行质控,并提供镜下依据。     

An automated analysis of highly complex flow cytometry-based proteomic data

The combination of color-coded microspheres as carriers and flow cytometry as a detection platform provides new opportunities for multiplexed measurement of biomolecules. Here, we developed a software tool capable of automated gating of color-coded microspheres, automatic extraction of statistics from all subsets and validation, normalization, and cross-sample analysis. The approach presented in this article enabled us to harness the power of high-content cellular proteomics. In size exclusion chromatography-resolved microsphere-based affinity proteomics (Size-MAP), antibody-coupled microspheres are used to measure biotinylated proteins that have been separated by size exclusion chromatography. The captured proteins are labeled with streptavidin phycoerythrin and detected by multicolor flow cytometry. When the results from multiple size exclusion chromatography fractions are combined, binding is detected as discrete reactivity peaks (entities). The information obtained might be approximated to a multiplexed western blot. We used a microsphere set with >1,000 subsets, presenting an approach to extract biologically relevant information. The R-project environment was used to sequentially recognize subsets in two-dimensional space and gate them. The aim was to extract the median streptavidin phycoerythrin fluorescence intensity for all 1,000+ microsphere subsets from a series of 96 measured samples. The resulting text files were subjected to algorithms that identified entities across the 24 fractions. Thus, the original 24 data points for each antibody were compressed to 1-4 integrated values representing the areas of individual antibody reactivity peaks. Finally, we provide experimental data on cellular protein changes induced by treatment of leukemia cells with imatinib mesylate. The approach presented here exemplifies how large-scale flow cytometry data analysis can be efficiently processed to employ flow cytometry as a high-content proteomics method.     

Evaluation of the phagocytosis of microspheres in V79 cells by flow cytometry

Phagocytosis of microspheres in V79 Chinese hamster lung cells was investigated by flow cytometry. Fluorescent microspheres (1.8 micron diameter) were used as the ingesta. Change in the number of V79 cells containing fluorescent microspheres was measured as an index of phagocytic activity. With time there was a sigmoidal increase in cells containing microspheres. The phagocytosis of microspheres is partially explained by two parameters introduced to describe the sigmoidal curves.     

子宫内膜异位症小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能的变化规律

目的研究子宫内膜异位症发生进程中腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能的变化规律。方法构造小鼠子宫内膜异位症模型,用流式细胞术检测造模前后腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬荧光微球数,计算吞噬率和吞噬指数代表巨噬细胞的吞噬能力。结果巨噬细胞吞噬率和吞噬指数分别为：未造模组[（10．1±0．82）％,0．17±0．01]、造模后第1d[（32．78±2．43）％,0．60±0．02]、第2d[（33．82±1．23）％,0．61±0．02]、第3d[（35．93±2．81）％,0．72±0．03]、第4d[（27．92±1．24）％,0．51±0．03]、第5d[（24．34±0．91）％,0．40±0．02]、第6d[（17．91±1．03）％,0．28±0．01]、第9d[（17．56±0．80）％,0．26±0．01I、第12d[（19．42±1．02）％,0．36±0．01]、第15d[（26．78±2．05）％,0．54±0．02]、第18d[（27．46±1．61）％,0．50±0．02]、第21d[（25．99±2．31）％,0．54±0．03]。造模后的小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬能力均显著高于未造模组,且呈现出三个阶段的改变：第1—5d为第1阶段,第6-12d为第2阶段,第15—21d为第3阶段,第1和第3阶段显著高于第2阶段（P〈0．01）。结论 子宫内膜异位症小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞的吞噬功能增强,且随时间呈现规律性变化特征,可能与子宫内膜的清除和异位存活有关。     

Flow cytometry of the phagocytosis of fluorescent microspheres in V79 cells

Phagocytosis of fluorescent microspheres (1.8 micron diameter) by Chinese hamster lung cells, V79 cells, was observed by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The phagocytic V79 cells observed by these methods had phagocytosis values that varied by less than 5%.     

Flow cytometric evaluation of leukocyte function in rat whole blood

The aim of this study was to establish a standard flow cytometric method to measure the phagocytic function of and intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production by rat leukocytes. Thirty-six adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were included in this study. Whole-blood specimens from the inferior vena cava were collected in a heparinized tube and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulated tube. The phagocytic function of and intracellular H2O2 generation by leukocytes were measured with FACS Vantage trade mark flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, CA), using fluorescent microspheres and dihydrorhodamine-123 as probes, respectively. Several conditions were optimized in this study, including anticoagulants (heparin and EDTA), fluorescent probes (0.75- and 1.72-microm-diameter microspheres), incubation time, and concentration of the chemicals used in the experiment. Neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes could be clearly defined and separated in whole blood by flow cytometry and tested for phagocytosis and intracellular H2O2 generation without the need for further purification and handling of the cells. Intracellular H2O2 production by and phagocytic function of neutrophils and monocytes were inhibited in EDTA-anticoagulated blood compared with heparin- anticoagulated blood (P < 0.01). Neutrophils showed similar phagocytic function to 0.75- and 1.72-microm microspheres, but monocytes showed weak phagocytic activity to 1.72-microm beads compared with 0.75-microm beads (P < 0.01). In conclusion, a flow cytometric method to measure the phagocytic function of and intracellular H2O2 production by rat leukocytes has been developed. Quantitative flow cytometric analysis of rat leukocyte function is convenient and feasible and provides a reliable and rapid assay to assess phagocytosis and intracellular H2O2 production by rat neutrophils and monocytes.     

Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells assessed by flow cytometry using 7-Aminoactinomycin D

BACKGROUND: Apoptotic cells are recognized specifically by macrophages and are cleared rapidly by phagocytosis. However, the recognition mechanisms involved in the clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages are still not fully understood. Therefore, new methods must be designed to better our understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between macrophages and apoptotic cells. 7-Aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) is a fluorescent DNA-binding stain usually used as a single agent to detect apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. We propose the use of 7-AAD-stained apoptotic cells as targets for a new flow cytometry phagocytosis assay. METHODS: Murine T-cell lymphoma YAC-1 cells were treated with etoposide to induce apoptosis. Etoposide-treated YAC-1 target cells were stained subsequently with 7-AAD and then coincubated with resident peritoneal macrophages to allow phagocytosis. The samples were analyzed by flow cytometry. Macrophages that had phagocytosed 7-AAD-stained apoptotic cells were identified by their bright red fluorescence and the resulting values were expressed as the percentage of cells. RESULTS: The phagocytic cells appeared as a distinct population characterized by bright fluorescence, which could not be detected in the negative controls. The effects of a phagocytic enhancer (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma]) or inhibitor (incubation at 4 degrees C) were assessed accurately with this flow cytometric method. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the use of 7-AAD in an assay that is easy and quick to perform. This flow cytometric-based assay allows the quantification of phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages.