Phagocytosis of Plasmodium Berghei — Infected Erythrocytes by Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages in vitro: A Model for Screening Immunomodulating Agents

Abstract

A short term in vitro screening model has been developed for immunomodulating and other agents influencing phagocytosis using serum-opsonized, Plasmodium berghei-infected erythrocytes and mouse Corynebacterium parvum-activated peritoneal macrophages. To measure phagocytic uptake a radiochemical method was applied using 3H-methionine labelled P. berghei and the precision of this method was checked by light microscopy. The infected erythrocytes did not induce an oxidative burst in the macrophages. The effects of different substances i.e. immunomodulators, scavengers of reactive oxygen species, antimalarials and antibiotics were observed and compared with their effects in other phagocytosis models. Inhibitors included muramyl peptides, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, ebselen, catalase and doxycycline.