Macrophages use sub-micron actin ridges in phagocytosis of encapsulated fungal pathogens

Sub-micron actin ridges on macrophages are linked to preferential binding and are sufficient to enable phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans, with ridge suppression blocking uptake.

• Why it matters: Capsule-mediated evasion is a key gap in understanding why phagocytosis fails during cryptococcal infection, which is important for immunity in AIDS patients.
• What they did: The study identified a new actin ridge structure on macrophages, neutrophils, and amoebae, then tested whether ridge suppression affects macrophage uptake of encapsulated Cryptococcus neoformans.
• The result: Ridges are observed on macrophages in vivo but are lost in interleukin 10–stimulated macrophages, implying ridge regulation controls phagocytosis of encapsulated fungal pathogens.

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