Phagocytosis - Week 4 PBL

Question 1

What is the mechanism of phagocytosis?

Answer 1

1) phagocyte identify PAMPs on pathogen via Phagocytic Pattern recognition (PRR)
2) phagocyte swallows pathogen
3) PAMPs bind to TLR ( toll like receptors) on phagocyte
4) phagolysosome forms
5) Phagolysosome granules kill pathogen whilst decreasing pH
6) Azurophilic granules activate acidic environment to kill off
7) H202 to kill pathogen
8) PRR activated , causes phagocytes to release cytokines
9) pathogen debris then detect by immune system

Question 2

How is the rate of phagocytosis increased?

Answer 2

Opsonins like IgG and C3b