Phagocytosis, the cellular uptake of particles and pathogens, is an essential function of the innate immune response. In this study, latex beads conjugated to immunoglobulin G, bacterial lipopolysaccharides, mannan or avidin were used to induce the internalization via different phagocytic receptors. Analysis of uptake and maturation of phagosomes, their proteomes as well as of macrophage gene expression during phagocytosis demonstrated that receptor-ligand interactions at the cell surface trigger a specfic signaling 'signature', which contributes to the intracellular fate of phagosomes.
