FIG 3.

P. gulae is phagocytosed more readily than P. gingivalis. P. gingivalis (W50 and ATCC 33277) and P. gulae ATCC 51700 were labeled with pHrodo and examined for their ability to be phagocytosed by mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7) at increasing bacterium/cell ratios (BCRs). (A to C) Mouse macrophages can phagocytose both bacterial strains, as determined by an increase in pHrodo fluorescence (A); however, P. gulae ATCC 51700 (□) and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 () were more readily phagocytosed than P. gingivalis W50 (■), as determined by the percentages of pHrodo-positive cells (B) and the MFIs (C). Data are expressed as the percentages of pHrodo-positive cells or the MFI. Means ± the SEM are shown (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.005; ***, P < 0.0005; ****, P < 0.00005 [P. gulae and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 versus P. gingivalis; n = 3]).