The Mannose Receptor Is Involved in the Phagocytosis of Mycobacteria-Induced Apoptotic Cells

Figure 6

Mannose receptor specific small interference RNA decreases mannose receptor expression and the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. J-774A.1 cells were transfected with siRNA specific for the MR for 64 h. The expression of the MR and the phagocytic ability of cells transfected with siRNA MR and with a scrambled control are shown. The cell surface expression of the MR was assessed by flow cytometry. In a representative histogram (a) the inhibition induced is shown (dashed lines). In comparison with the MR expression of cells treated with scramble siRNA, MR-specific siRNA reduced significantly MR expression (b). Compared with cells treated with scrambled sRNA, phagocytosis of apoptotic cells was significantly reduced in MØs transfected with specific siRNA expressed as the percent of phagocytic cells (c) or the percent inhibition of the phagocytosis (d). The results of three independent experiments are presented. The statistical significance was assessed by one-way ANOVA, unpaired -test, Student’s -test, and nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test; .

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)