Latrunculin A is a potent inhibitor of phagocytosis by macrophages

We have found that latrunculin A, a Red Sea sponge toxin, is a potent inhibitor of immunological phagocytosis by mouse peritoneal macrophages, but does not block the binding (recognition) of the immune complexes (erythrocytes sensitized with IgG antibodies) to the cells. The inhibition begins to be appreciable around 12 nM latrunculin A, and is complete with a toxin concentration of 60 nM. This inhibitory effect does not interfere with the cell viability, and can be reversed when the macrophages are incubated in fresh medium. Since latrunculin A is a disrupting agent of microfilament organization, these results strengthen the evidence for the active participation of microfilaments in the mechanism of phagocytosis and at the same time provide a new tool for the investigation of phagocytosis at the molecular level.