Yeast cell phagocytosis by mononuclear leucocytes from peripheral blood: Significance of the substrate

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Abstract
Lymphoprep-isolated mononuclear leukocytes (L-MN) from peripheral blood of healthy donors were mixed with yeast cells and filmed by time-lapse microcinematography in glass chambers at +37.degree. C. The concentration of L-MN and yeast cells was lowered so as to make directional L-MN movement (chemotaxis) a necessary condition of phagocytosis. Cases (54) of phagocytosis were filmed. Only yeast cells lying immobile on the glass surface were engulfed. In addition, 11 collisions between free-floating yeast cells and glass-adherent L-MN were noted. None of these collisions led to immediate engulfment. The process of phagocytosis requires prolonged leukocyte-prey contact, in the order of magnitude of 3-5 s.