A rapid radiometric assay for measuring phagocytosis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in macrophage cultures.
A new assay was developed to measure yeast phagocytosis in cultures of murine resident peritoneal macrophages. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was radiolabeled during exponential growth in nutrient broth supplemented with [3H]glucose. Following ingestion of the radiolabeled heat-killed yeast particles for 15 min, phagocytic capacities were measured in harvested macrophage lysates by liquid scintillation spectrometry. The new procedure compares favorably with light microscopic techniques and appears to be a more sensitive method for quantitating phagocytic function. Dose-response studies indicate, that over a wide range of dexamethasone concentrations, the radiometric procedure consistently measures greater inhibitory effects for the steroid induced suppression of phagocytosis.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D014316:Tritium
D014316:Tritium; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005947:Glucose