Macrophages recognize size and shape of their targets.
Recognition by macrophages is a key process in generating immune response against invading pathogens. Previous studies have focused on recognition of pathogens through surface receptors present on the macrophage's surface. Here, using polymeric particles of different geometries that represent the size and shape range of a variety of bacteria, the importance of target geometry in recognition was investigated. The studies reported here reveal that attachment of particles of different geometries to macrophages exhibits a strong dependence on size and shape. For all sizes and shapes studied, particles possessing the longest dimension in the range of 2-3 microm exhibited highest attachment. This also happens to be the size range of most commonly found bacteria in nature. The surface features of macrophages, in particular the membrane ruffles, might play an important role in this geometry-based target recognition by macrophages. These findings have significant implications in understanding the pathogenicity of bacteria and in designing drug delivery carriers.
Doshi
Nishit
N
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America.
Mitragotri
Samir
S
D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D010316:Particle Size; D011137:Polystyrenes
D004337:Drug Carriers; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011137:Polystyrenes
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