Methods
C3bi opsonised zymosan particles are readily ingested by neutrophils. However relying upon chance meetings between the cells and particles under view can be frustrating and time consuming. Micromanipulated delivery of zymosan particles permits phagocytosis to be triggered on demand.
It is difficult to microinject most mammalian cells because they are so small that the "damage" caused by the insertion of a glass injection needle cannot be tolerated. The SLAM (soft lipid-assisted micro-injection) method, developed by Iraj Laffafian and Professor Maurice Hallett and patented by Cardiff University, has provided an effective and gentle method of introducing material into the most sensitive of cells.
As human neutrophils are terminally differentiated cells, they do not divide or synthesise significant protein and cannot be transfected. However, two human neutrophilic cell lines, HL60 and NB4, can be differentiated into beta-2 expressing neutrophil-like cells.