Nanoscale imaging and mechanical analysis of Fc receptor-mediated macrophage phagocytosis against cancer cells

Langmuir. 2014 Feb 18;30(6):1609-21. doi: 10.1021/la4042524. Epub 2014 Feb 4.

Abstract

Fc receptor-mediated macrophage phagocytosis against cancer cells is an important mechanism in the immune therapy of cancers. Traditional research about macrophage phagocytosis was based on optical microscopy, which cannot reveal detailed information because of the 200-nm-resolution limit. Quantitatively investigating the macrophage phagocytosis at micro- and nanoscale levels is still scarce. The advent of atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers an excellent analytical instrument for quantitatively investigating the biological processes at single-cell and single-molecule levels under native conditions. In this work, we combined AFM and fluorescence microscopy to visualize and quantify the detailed changes in cell morphology and mechanical properties during the process of Fc receptor-mediated macrophage phagocytosis against cancer cells. Lymphoma cells were discernible by fluorescence staining. Then, the dynamic process of phagocytosis was observed by time-lapse optical microscopy. Next, AFM was applied to investigate the detailed cellular behaviors during macrophage phagocytosis under the guidance of fluorescence recognition. AFM imaging revealed the distinct features in cellular ultramicrostructures for the different steps of macrophage phagocytosis. AFM cell mechanical property measurements indicated that the binding of cancer cells to macrophages could make macrophages become stiffer. The experimental results provide novel insights in understanding the Fc-receptor-mediated macrophage phagocytosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • B-Lymphocytes / ultrastructure*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / ultrastructure*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Phagocytosis*
  • Receptors, Fc / genetics
  • Receptors, Fc / immunology
  • Single-Cell Analysis / instrumentation*
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods
  • Time-Lapse Imaging

Substances

  • Receptors, Fc