title: Role of particle size in phagocytosis of polymeric microspheres.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Polymeric microspheres are extensively researched for applications in drug and vaccine delivery. However, upon administration into the body, microspheres are primarily cleared via phagocytosis by macrophages. Although numerous studies have reported on the biochemical pathways of phagocytosis, relatively little is known about the dependence of phagocytosis on particle size. Here, we investigate the previously unexplained dependence of phagocytosis on particle size.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rat alveolar macrophages and IgG-opsonized and non-opsonized polystyrene microspheres were used as model macrophages and drug delivery particles. Phagocytosis, attachment and internalization were measured by flow cytometry and time-lapse video microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Particles possessing diameters of 2-3 microm exhibited maximal phagocytosis and attachment. Rate of internalization, however, was not affected significantly by particle size. Maximal attachment of 2-3 microm microspheres is hypothesized to originate from the characteristic features of membrane ruffles in macrophages. Elimination of ruffles via osmotic swelling nearly eliminated the peculiar size-dependence of phagocytosis. A simple mathematical model is presented to describe the dependence of phagocytosis on particle size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dependence of phagocytosis on particle size originated primarily from the attachment step. These results reveal the importance of controlling drug delivery particle size distribution and selecting the size appropriate for avoiding or encouraging phagocytosis.
authors: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA.
authors: Julie A
authors: JA
authors: Champion
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Walker
authors: Samir
authors: S
authors: Mitragotri
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000502:physiology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D011108:Polymers; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers