Phagocytosis

Phagocytosis assays measuring engulfment by macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells

When you need to measure engulfment of bacteria, fungi, apoptotic cells, pathogens, or synthetic beads by macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, or non-professional phagocytes, this section covers the assays. Readouts include flow cytometry, plate-based fluorometry, and microscopy.

Pick by target and readout.

1. Target particle. Bacteria, fungi, apoptotic cells, synthetic beads each have specific assay chemistries.
2. Readout. Flow cytometry for quantitative engulfment-per-cell. Microscopy for spatial. Plate-based fluorometry for high-throughput screen.
3. Surface-versus-engulfment discrimination. Total fluorescence can include surface-bound non-engulfed particles. Include controls (trypan blue quench, pH-sensitive dyes) that distinguish surface from internalised.
4. Phagocyte cell type. Match assay to your cell (macrophage, neutrophil, dendritic cell, non-professional phagocyte).
5. Throughput. Plate-based for screens. Single-tube flow for mechanism work.

Cell Biolabs supplies phagocytosis assay kits in this inventory.