In vitro study of the phagocytosis process of human <em>corpora amylacea</em> by macrophages derived from THP-1 monocytes.

Abstract

<em>Corpora amylacea</em> (CA) are polyglucosan bodies that accumulate in the human brain during ageing and some neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies indicate that CA gather waste substances from the brain and present some neo-epitopes that can be recognized by IgM natural antibodies and trigger an immune response. It has been reported that CA act as waste containers, since they are released from the brain into the cerebrospinal fluid and reach the cervical lymph nodes, where they might encounter macrophages. In this project, a recording of the phagocytosis of CA by THP-1 derived macrophages has been performed using the time-lapse technique. Two different staining methods have been performed in order to determine if CA are phagocytosed due to their nature or to the reactants used for staining. This works shows images of the recording in which CA are phagocytosed by macrophages and compares the results of the phagocytosis by both staining methods in order to draw some conclusions about this process.