Assay for Phagocytosis

Phagocytic leukocytes (granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages) provide a first line of host defense by their ingestion (phagocytosis) and killing of microorganisms. Leukocytes phagocytize particles through a complex series of events that include serum coating (opsonization), cellular recognition, particle adhesion to the cell surface, and internalization. Serum complement components are important for the particle adhesion to phagocytes, whereas IgG opsonization is necessary for particle internalization (reviewed in 1 ).