Phagocytosis is sharply decreased in CF macrophages.

<p>(<i>A</i>) Non-CF and CF macrophages were incubated with heat-inactivated <i>E. coli</i>-fluorescein for 2 hours (MOI: 100). Scatter plot shows <i>E. coli</i> bacterial phagocytic index (%) (experimental reading minus negative-control reading / positive-control reading minus negative-control reading) of non-CF (n=5) and CF macrophages (n=7, patients 11, 22, 26-29 and 38; Table S1). Each symbol represents a single individual, and line is the mean bacterial phagocytic index. (B) Lived-P. aeruginosa were added to non-CF and CF macrophage cultures during 1 hour (MOI: 100). The intracellular bacteria were evaluated by lysis cells and count on agar plates after a one hour gentamycin (150 µg/ml) exposure. Each symbol represents a single individual, and line is the mean CFU. Scatter plot shows five independent experiments for non-CF and CF macrophages (patients 13, 26 and 29-31; Table S1). Mann and Whitney test: * p< 0.05, ** p<0.01 <i>vs</i> non-CF macrophages.