A phosphoinositide-based model of actin waves in frustrated phagocytosis

Phagocytosis is a complex process by which phagocytes such as lymphocytes or macrophages engulf and destroy foreign bodies called pathogens in tissue. The triggered the detection of antibodies that trigger signaling mechanisms control changes cellular cytoskeleton needed for engulfment pathogen. A mathematical model entire would be extremely complicated, because cytoskeletal produce large mechanical deformations cell. Recent experiments have used confinement technique leads to frustrated phagocytosis, membrane does not deform, but rather, triggers actin waves propagate along boundary This eliminates large-scale facilitates modeling wave dynamics. Herein we develop dynamics observed phagocytosis show it can replicate experimental observations. We identify key components make number experimentally-testable predictions. In particular, predict diffusion coefficients membrane-bound species must larger behind wavefront internal structure waves. Our first step toward more complete provides insights into circular dorsal ruffles well.