I want to check phagocytic activity of liver macrophage i.e kupffer cells, in different liver diseases. Is it a good idea to check the comparative gene expression involved in phagocytic activity? Please suggest which gene I should choose for phagocytic activity.
I think there is a technique for phagocytic activity, you measure the uptake of dextran.
See probable article: Mercedes N. Lopez, Barbara Pesce, Flavio Salazar-Onfray
2011, Immunobiology, PMID: 21601308
Dear Dhanajay, you really ask two different questions: which genes control phagocytic activty of resident macrophages (honestly, I do not know) and how to assess this activity in case of Kupfer cells.. In my experience, as the simplest but rather informative indices may serve percentage of visibly activated Kupfer cells with internalised pigment granules and the average score of their burden with the latter.
Are you looking in vivo or in vitro. For in vitro you can use fluorescent labeled latex beads and these can be quantified. In vivo you can easily show phagocytosis by uptake of india ink. KCs turn black very quickly. Can also use the fluorescent beads. May be harder to quantify than in vitro though.
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