Phagocytosis involves three distinct but interrelated steps:

• (1) recognition and attachment of the particle to be ingested by the leukocyte;
• (2) its engulfment, with subsequent formation of a phagocytic vacuole;
• (3) killing or degradation of the ingested material.

 Bacteria phagocytosed by leukocytes are killed and degraded by toxic oxygen metabolites produced in the phagosome via an NADPH oxidase. NADPH oxidase activity is regulated by small GTP-binding proteins in response to phagocytic stimuli.

Features

 phagosomes

• phagosome membrane

 ER-mediated phagocytosis

Pathology

 phagocytes defects

References

 Desjardins M, Griffiths G. Phagocytosis: latex leads the way. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2003 Aug;15(4):498-503. PMID: #12892792#

 Isberg RR, Van Nhieu GT. The mechanism of phagocytic uptake promoted by invasin-integrin interaction. Trends Cell Biol. 1995 Mar;5(3):120-4. PMID: #14732167#

 Bokoch GM. Regulation of the phagocyte respiratory burst by small GTP-binding proteins. Trends Cell Biol. 1995 Mar;5(3):109-13. PMID: #14732165#

 Beron W, Alvarez-Dominguez C, Mayorga L, Stahl PD. Membrane trafficking along the phagocytic pathway. Trends Cell Biol. 1995 Mar;5(3):100-4. PMID: #14732163#

 Greenberg S. Signal transduction of phagocytosis. Trends Cell Biol. 1995 Mar;5(3):93-9. PMID: #14732162#

 Swanson JA, Baer SC. Phagocytosis by zippers and triggers. Trends Cell Biol. 1995 Mar;5(3):89-93. PMID: #14732161#