Figure 3. The phagocytic activity is decreased in NOX2-/- HSC.
(A) Primary wt or NOX2-/- HSC were exposed to TAMRA-labeled AB, and the rate of phagocytosis was assessed after 24 hours. The engulfment was significantly decreased in HSC isolated from NOX2-/- mice compared to wt mice (#p<0.001). (B) Pull-down of active GTP-bound Rac1 from the membrane fractions of wt and NOX2-/- HSC demonstrated significantly more GTP-Rac1 in the membrane fraction of wt cells following AB exposure compared to NOX2-/- cells. Rac1 immunostaining was detectable at the phagosomal membrane forming around the TAMRA-labeled AB (red) in wt HSC (arrow), while in the NOX2-/- HSC AB attachment is seen but impaired phagosome formation (arrowhead), bar=10μm.
