Figure 3

Photomicrographs of DCs, Apo-Nec cells and the phagocytic process at different time points. A – Characteristic morphologies of monocyte-derived iDC (left) and mDC (LPS-treated) (right) are shown under phase contrast microscopy (original magnification: 1000×). B – Electron microscopy of an apoptotic body (Apo-Nec sample) showing chromatin condensation; original magnification: 8000×. C – Representative pictures of the phagocytic process at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hs. In order to observe whole cells ultrathin slices (0.5 μm) stained by Toluidine blue were analyzed as described under methods. An Apo-Nec cell and a DC are indicated (upper and lower arrows, respectively). Original magnification: 1000×. D – Detail of a phagocytic DC observed under electron microscopy (4000×) showing digested material at higher magnification (10,000×).