Phagocytosis of Microorganisms by Means of Overshooting Pseudopods: Where Do We Stand?

During the endocytic uptake of particulate material such as microorganisms, the transition from the engulfment step to the internalization step of phagocytosis may be disturbed. Thus, the pseudopods flanking the particles do not close to a phagosome, but lie on top of each other. This uncoupling of pseudopod extension and phagosome formation provides useful information about the regular course of phagocytosis. Experimental models on the phenomena of coiling and overlapping phagocytosis have so far been established with legionellas, spirochetes, trypanosomatids, fungal cells, and zymosan.