Figure 2. BMDMs from PRNP^−/− mice exhibited greater phagocytic activity than those from wild-type (WT) mice.

Total proteins were collected from BMDMs and analyzed by western blotting with anti-PrP antibodies (AH6). The expected glycoforms of PrP^C were observed in WT samples, whereas no bands were observed in PRNP^−/− samples (A). Phagocytosis assays were performed using EGFP-E. coli (green). Cells were fixed and stained with DAPI (blue) to detect chromosomal DNA, and fluorescence microscopy was used to image the stained cells. The micrographs for 60 min are shown; the cell profile was observed through phase-contrast microscopy. (B). The percentage of cells containing E. coli (C), the mean count of E. coli per cell (D), and the phagocytic index (E) are shown. Data represent at least three independent experiments. **p≤0.01, ***p≤0.001.