Phagocytosis describes the process by which dedicated phagocytic cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, engulf, internalize and destroy foreign particles such as bacteria or cellular debris. It involves a series of distinct molecular and morphological events. Phagocytic cells migrate chemotaxis to a site of infection or tissue damage by chemotaxis due to signals released by the foreign particles or damaged cells. Such chemotactic signals include chemokines and cytokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), complement system components such as C5a, ATP released by damaged cells and various bacterial products such as formyl peptides, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and peptidoglycans. Phagocytic cells then use various specific receptors on their surface to recognize and bind to foreign particles. One type of recognition occurs through opsonization, where antibodies or complement proteins coat the target, enhancing recognition. Complement receptors such as CR1, CR3, and CR4 on phagocytic cells then recognize and bind to complement proteins that have opsonized (marked) the target particles or pathogens. This binding enhances phagocytosis by promoting receptor-mediated uptake. Recognition may also occur via Fc receptors which bind to the Fc region of antibodies. These receptors facilitate the phagocytosis of antibody-coated pathogens through a process called antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). To recognize targets, phagocytic cells also utilize scavenger receptors, such as SR-A (scavenger receptor A) and MARCO (macrophage receptor with collagenous structure) which recognize a wide range of microbial patterns and modified self-molecules, or Toll-like Receptors (TLRs), a group of pattern recognition receptors which recognize specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) present on the surface of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other pathogens. Finally, phagocytic cells can recognize targets using mannose receptors which recognize carbohydrate structures, such as mannose and fucose, on the surface of pathogens. Once recognized, phagocytic cells then extend cellular projections using actin and myosin filaments around the target, forming a cup-shaped structure called a phagosome. The target is surrounded by the phagosome membrane, which eventually seals and separates from the surrounding environment. The newly formed phagosome then undergoes a series of maturation events, including fusion with lysosomes. Fusion forms a phagolysosome, wherein the target is exposed to a variety of antimicrobial substances including reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide, acidic pH, antimicrobial peptides and digestive enzymes that help kill the ingested microorganism or break down the cellular debris. After the target has been killed and degraded, the phagolysosome may fuse with the cell's plasma membrane, expelling the waste materials outside the cell in a process known as exocytosis. However, depending on the nature of the internalized particle, the phagocyte may alternatively present antigenic fragments on its cell surface. Antigen presentation enables the phagocyte to alert other immune cells, such as T lymphocytes, initiating an adaptive immune response.Throughout these steps, numerous molecular events take place, involving a variety of proteins, signalling molecules, and cytoskeletal rearrangements. Various intracellular signalling pathways, including Rho-family GTPases involved in remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton, PI3K, MAP kinase and NFkB are activated, leading to the recruitment and fusion of lysosomes, as well as the production of antimicrobial substances and cytokines. We offer a comprehensive product catalogue of research reagents for investigating phagocytosis, including Adenosine Receptor A2a antibodies, LRP1 antibodies, and DOCK1 antibodies. Explore our full phagocytosis product range below and discover more, for less.