Morphological Evidence for Novel Roles of Microtubules in Macrophage Phagocytosis.

Although the phagocytic activity of macrophages has long been studied, the involvement of microtubules in the process is not well understood. In this study, we improved the fixation protocol and revealed a dynamically rearranging microtubule network in macrophages, consisting of a basal meshwork, thick bundles at the cell edge, and astral microtubules. Some astral microtubules extended beneath the cell cortex and continued to form bundles at the cell edge.

Involvement of Annexin A2 in Serum-MAF Dependent Phagocytic Activation of Macrophages.

Background/aim: Serum-derived macrophage activating factor (serum-MAF) is expected to have adjuvant effects through rapid phagocytic activation, which depends on F-actin accumulation in multi-layered membrane ruffles induced within 5 min after serum-MAF addition. This study aimed to elucidate the importance of annexin A2, which is a multifunctional Ca-binding protein related to cytoskeletal membrane dynamics, in serum-MAF signalling.

Materials And Methods: Annexin A2 and F-actin localizations were analyzed via immunostaining and confocal microscopy.