Metabolic Basis of Phagocytic Activity

Abstract

This review is restricted to some biochemical aspects of the phagocytic process, and in particular, to metabolic changes on the part of the phagocyte which accompany the ingestion of a particle (or a liquid). It deals with respiratory changes, carbo-hydrate metabolism, viruses and the inhibition of phagocytosis, glycolysis, biosynthetic activity, stimulation of labeling of lipids and its possible relation to membrane phenomena, specialized cytological changes during phagocytosis and their metabolic effects. Most of the experiments deal with mammalian and sometimes amphibian polymorpho-nuclear leukocytes, and a few with Amoeba.