Direct measurement of oscillatory generation of superoxide anions by single phagocytes

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Abstract
Phagocytic cells such as neutrophils generate superoxide anions (O2 −) within phagocytic vacuoles for killing and digesting microorganisms. Here we report the simultaneous observation of morphological changes and O2 − generation in single phagocytic cells during phagocytosis. Point stimulation of a cell by contact with an opsonized microelectrode at the cell surface induced significant deformation to engulf the electrode, and also induced the O2 − generation which was measured by the electrode. Periodic fluctuations in the magnitude of the O2 − generation were observed in the time course. These oscillations may be caused by metabolic regulation of the formation of NADPH, which is the substrate for the O2 − generation.