Endocytic Markers Associated with the Internalization and Processing of Conidia by BEAS-2B Cells.

is a ubiquitous mold that produces small airborne conidia capable of traversing deep into the respiratory system. Recognition, processing, and clearance of conidia by bronchial airway epithelial cells are thought to be relevant to host defense and immune signaling. Using z-stack confocal microscopy, we observed that only 10 to 20% of adherent conidia from the AF293 clinical isolate are internalized by BEAS-2B cells 6 h postchallenge and not prior.