Phagocytosis holds a central position in the development of a successful innate immune response and in the initiation of the corresponding adaptive response. The destruction of invading pathogens and the presentation of their antigens to lymphoid cells require acidification of the phagosomal lumen. The present review discusses the mechanism of phagosome acidification, with particular reference to the two components of the protonmotive force: the chemical (pH) gradient and the electrical potential across the phagosomal membrane. A method for the in situ measurement of the electrical potential across the phagosomal membrane is described. In addition, we discuss the finding that acidification is not only a consequence, but also a critical determinant of phagosome maturation. Luminal acidification appears to function as a timing device controlling the transition between early and late phagosomes.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
November 2007
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Conference Article|
October 25 2007
Phagosomal acidification: measurement, manipulation and functional consequences
B.E. Steinberg;
B.E. Steinberg
*Cell Biology Programme, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 1X8
†Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 1A8
Search for other works by this author on:
K.K. Huynh;
K.K. Huynh
*Cell Biology Programme, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 1X8
‡Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 1A8
Search for other works by this author on:
S. Grinstein
S. Grinstein
1
*Cell Biology Programme, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 1X8
†Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 1A8
‡Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 1A8
1To whom correspondence should be addressed, at The Hospital for Sick Children (email sga@sickkids.ca).
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
June 11 2007
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2007 Biochemical Society
2007
Biochem Soc Trans (2007) 35 (5): 1083–1087.
Article history
Received:
June 11 2007
Citation
B.E. Steinberg, K.K. Huynh, S. Grinstein; Phagosomal acidification: measurement, manipulation and functional consequences. Biochem Soc Trans 1 November 2007; 35 (5): 1083–1087. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0351083
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.