Figure 14. P2X7 receptor participates in silica particle phagocytosis by macrophages.

Macrophages were exposed to silica particles and imaged using differential interference contrast (DIC). (A-C) Light micrographs of macrophages from wild-type (WT), and (D-E) P2X7 receptor knockout (KO) mice exposed to saline (CTRL) or silica particles (SIL) in the absence or presence of the P2X7 receptor inhibitor oATP (SIL+oATP). Note increased vesicle formation in silica treated macrophages from WT mice (B, arrow) in comparison with macrophages from P2X7 KO mice (E, arrow). B, insert: macrophage pre-treated with cytochalasin and exposed to silica. Bars: 20 µm.