Protocol for rapid evaluation of antibody-mediated protection in macrophages using immunofluorescence techniques

Antibodies have been shown to provide protection against tuberculosis (TB). It is important to identify the qualitative and quantitative protective effects of antibodies before a clinical study. Here, we present a protocol to evaluate antibody-mediated protection in macrophages using confocal fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. We describe steps for bacteria and macrophage preparation, cell infection, phagocytosis, and phagosome maturation analysis. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Zeng et al.¹.