Zymosan A Fluorescent Particles

Phagocytosis is a cellular process for ingesting and eliminating microorganisms, foreign substances, and apoptotic cells. It is a specific form of endocytosis initiated by recognition and binding of foreign particles by cell surface receptors, followed by their engulfment, and formation of phagosomes. Maturing phagosomes transform to phagolysosomes which destroy the pathogen through enzymes and toxic peroxides. Zymosan prepared from yeast cell wall (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and consisting of protein-carbohydrate complexes is frequently used as a pathogen in phagocytosis assays.

Zymosan A fluorescent particles were prepared by conjugating Zymosan A particles with a bright red fluorescent molecular probe. The particles are ready-to-use phagocytosis-inducing particles for fluorescent imaging, microplate reader (Ex/Em = 540/570 nm) and flow cytometric analysis of phagocytosis. We recommend using 5 μL of Zymosan A fluorescent particles per 5 x 105 of viable cells.

Suitable for inducing phagocytosis and screening activators and/or inhibitors of phagocytosis and Toll-like receptor ligands (TLR) in mammalian cells.