Power and fluorescence sensitivity of standard FCM with all the spatial resolution and quantitative morphology of digital microscopy, as it is according to the capture of images of particles in flow and subsequent pixel-based image analysis of objects [413]. Imaging FCM enables defining the intracellular localization of fluorescent targets in phagocytes, as a result ruling out the need of quenching or blocking measures (Fig. 43) [41416].8.3.six Assessing or quantifying phagocytosis kinetics and capacity: The simplest calculation could be the proportion of phagocytosing cells within the evaluated population, defined as the percentage of gated cells with target fluorescence, present in the suitable gate(s), established by morphological, viability, and immunophenotypic criteria [377], as PDGF-R-alpha Proteins Formulation noticed in Fig. 44. Relating to the quantification of ingested fluorescent targets, calculation could be relatively straightforward if pH-independent fluorescent particles (biological or synthetic) are utilized. The mean number of particles ingested per effector cell is often calculated by dividing the MFI of your cell population by the fluorescence of a single, extracellular target [417]. When using targets labeled with pH-dependent dyes, even so, this calculation is inaccurate and have to be modified by subtracting the amount of totally free targets per phagocyte from the initial number of targets per phagocyte [377, 378].Eur J Immunol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2020 July ten.Integrin alpha V beta 3 Proteins site Cossarizza et al.PageAn exciting parameter to quantify phagocytosis capacity could be the phagocytosis item (PP) parameter [377]. PP is defined as the percentage of phagocytosing cells multiplied by the number of targets per phagocytosing cell. PP reflects that the total elimination of targets from a offered assay preparation depends both from the percentage of phagocytosing cells as well as the number of targets ingested by each effector cell [377]. 8.four A basic protocol for assesing phagocytosis in whole-blood samples making use of pHrodo Red E.coli BioParticles eight.four.1 Overview: This assay is suitable to establish phagocytic activity in whole blood samples depending on the use of pHrodo E. coli Red BioParticles, which undergo a robust increase in fluorescence when the surrounding pH becomes much more acidic during the ingestion phase of phagocytosis method. Labeling of whole blood samples with proper panleukocytic markers, like CD45 or CD11a (Fig. 44), simply permits excluding simply erythrocytes and platelets. Working with species-specific phagocyte markers allows to evaluate phagocytosis of pHrodo BioParticles by granulocytes in several species [418]. By adding a appropriate fluorogenic substrate of ROS for example Dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR123), this protocol makes it possible for the simultaneous examination of phagocytosis and oxidative burst. CD11a clone HI111 reacts with human, rhesus, cynomolgus, or baboon monkey, dog, and rabbit. Moreover, it has been shown in our laboratory to crossreact with some cetaceans and pinnipedes. Thus, as well as human research, this protocol has been successfully applied to evaluate ingestion of E. coli and respiratory burst in whole-blood samples of dolphins (Fig. 44), Beluga whales, and walruses. 8.four.two 1. Step-by-step sample preparation and assay protocol Prepare 3 tubes and label appropriately for: 2. 3. 4. 5. autofluorescence manage cytochalasin A (negative control) pHrodo Red E.coli BioParticlesAuthor Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptDispense 50 L heparinized entire blood into each and every tube.