FLOW CYTOMETRIC ASSAY REVEALS AN ENHANCEMENT OF PHAGOCYTOSIS BY PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR IN MURINE PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES

Phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled latex beads by peritoneal macrophages from thioglycollate-stimulated mice was examined in vitro by means of flow cytometry. This assay revealed that platelet activating factor (PAF), a known inflammatory mediator, enhanced the phagocytosis in a dose-dependent manner. The enhancement was completely suppressed by a PAF antagonist, Y-24180, and partly suppressed by another antagonist, CV-3988. The phagocytosis of both nonstimulated and PAF-stimulated macrophages was suppressed in Ca2+-free ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether) N, N-tetraacetic acid-containing solution, but the phagocytosis was enhanced by PAF even in this solution. These results suggest that phagocytosis by macrophages is enhanced by PAF in allergic and inflammatory reactions. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.