Figure 4.

Increased phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells in dendritic cells. (a and b) Atg5^f/f or ITGAX/CD11c-atg5^−/- BMDCs were co-cultured with DiI-labeled apoptotic EG7 cells for 3 h (a) or fluorochrome-labeled latex beads for 1 h (b). Uptake of DiI-labeled apoptotic tumor cells by BMDCs was determined by flow cytometry (c and d). Graph showing the frequency of phagocytosis in DiI-labeled apoptotic tumor cells (c) or latex beads (d) of dendritic cells (Student’s t-test; **P < 0.01). The results shown are representative of 3 similar independent experiments. (e) The footpads of Atg5^f/f or ITGAX/CD11c-atg5^−/- mice were injected with DiI-labeled apoptotic EG7 cells. After 24 h, the draining lymph node was isolated and phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells in migratory (ITGAX/CD11c⁺ MHC class II^hi) or resident dendritic cells (ITGAX/CD11c⁺ MHC class II^int) was monitored by flow cytometry. (f) Dot graph showing the frequency of DiI-positive dendritic cells in the draining lymph nodes (4 mice per group; Student’s t-test; **P < 0.01). Data are representative of 3 similar independent experiments.