Understanding controlled vomocytosis in phagocytic cells

Phagocytic cells have the innate ability to phagocytose particulate matter. Typically, this leads to degradation of the engulfed material in the phagolysosome of the phagocytic cell. However, Cryptococcus Neoformans cells when taken up by phagocytic cells induce swelling of the phagolysosome, followed by expulsion of live fungal cells via a process called vomocytosis. We’re interested in studying this phenomenon for potential applications in vaccine delivery.