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Nature Immunology Aug 2022Long recognized as an evolutionarily ancient cell type involved in tissue homeostasis and immune defense against pathogens, macrophages are being re-discovered as... (Review)
Review
Long recognized as an evolutionarily ancient cell type involved in tissue homeostasis and immune defense against pathogens, macrophages are being re-discovered as regulators of several diseases, including cancer. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent the most abundant innate immune population in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Macrophages are professional phagocytic cells of the hematopoietic system specializing in the detection, phagocytosis and destruction of bacteria and other harmful micro-organisms, apoptotic cells and metabolic byproducts. In contrast to these healthy macrophage functions, TAMs support cancer cell growth and metastasis and mediate immunosuppressive effects on the adaptive immune cells of the TME. Cancer is one of the most potent insults on macrophage physiology, inducing changes that are intimately linked with disease progression. In this Review, we outline hallmarks of TAMs and discuss the emerging mechanisms that contribute to their pathophysiological adaptations and the vulnerabilities that provide attractive targets for therapeutic exploitation in cancer.
Topics: Disease Progression; Humans; Macrophages; Neoplasms; Phagocytosis; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 35879449
DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01267-2 -
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology Jul 2020Multiple modes of cell death have been identified, each with a unique function and each induced in a setting-dependent manner. As billions of cells die during mammalian... (Review)
Review
Multiple modes of cell death have been identified, each with a unique function and each induced in a setting-dependent manner. As billions of cells die during mammalian embryogenesis and daily in adult organisms, clearing dead cells and associated cellular debris is important in physiology. In this Review, we present an overview of the phagocytosis of dead and dying cells, a process known as efferocytosis. Efferocytosis is performed by macrophages and to a lesser extent by other 'professional' phagocytes (such as monocytes and dendritic cells) and 'non-professional' phagocytes, such as epithelial cells. Recent discoveries have shed light on this process and how it functions to maintain tissue homeostasis, tissue repair and organismal health. Here, we outline the mechanisms of efferocytosis, from the recognition of dying cells through to phagocytic engulfment and homeostatic resolution, and highlight the pathophysiological consequences that can arise when this process is abrogated.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Homeostasis; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Inflammation; Macrophages; Phagocytes; Phagocytosis; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 32251387
DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-0232-1 -
Nature Reviews. Immunology Apr 2020The clearance of apoptotic cells by professional and non-professional phagocytes - a process termed 'efferocytosis' - is essential for the maintenance of tissue... (Review)
Review
The clearance of apoptotic cells by professional and non-professional phagocytes - a process termed 'efferocytosis' - is essential for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Accordingly, defective efferocytosis underlies a growing list of chronic inflammatory diseases. Although much has been learnt about the mechanisms of apoptotic cell recognition and uptake, several key areas remain incompletely understood. This Review focuses on new discoveries related to how phagocytes process the metabolic cargo they receive during apoptotic cell uptake; the links between efferocytosis and the resolution of inflammation in health and disease; and the roles of efferocytosis in host defence. Understanding these aspects of efferocytosis sheds light on key physiological and pathophysiological processes and suggests novel therapeutic strategies for diseases driven by defective efferocytosis and impaired inflammation resolution.
Topics: Apoptosis; Homeostasis; Humans; Inflammation; Phagocytes; Phagocytosis
PubMed: 31822793
DOI: 10.1038/s41577-019-0240-6 -
Science Advances Oct 2022Noncanonical functions of the autophagy machinery in pathways including LC3-associated phagocytosis and LC3-associated endocytosis have garnered increasing interest in... (Review)
Review
Noncanonical functions of the autophagy machinery in pathways including LC3-associated phagocytosis and LC3-associated endocytosis have garnered increasing interest in both normal physiology and pathobiology. New discoveries over the past decade of noncanonical uses of the autophagy machinery in these distinct molecular mechanisms have led to robust investigation into the roles of single-membrane LC3 lipidation. Noncanonical autophagy pathways have now been implicated in the regulation of multiple processes ranging from debris clearance, cellular signaling, and immune regulation and inflammation. Accumulating evidence is demonstrating roles in a variety of disease states including host-pathogen responses, autoimmunity, cancer, and neurological and neurodegenerative pathologies. Here, we broadly summarize the differences in the mechanistic regulation between autophagy and LAP and LANDO and highlight some of the key roles of LAP and LANDO in innate immune function, inflammation, and disease pathology.
Topics: Humans; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Phagocytosis; Autophagy; Endocytosis; Inflammation
PubMed: 36288309
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn1702 -
Immunity Jul 2021Neutrophils are immune cells with unusual biological features that furnish potent antimicrobial properties. These cells phagocytose and subsequently kill prokaryotic and... (Review)
Review
Neutrophils are immune cells with unusual biological features that furnish potent antimicrobial properties. These cells phagocytose and subsequently kill prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms very efficiently. Importantly, it is not only their ability to attack microbes within a constrained intracellular compartment that endows neutrophils with antimicrobial function. They can unleash their effectors into the extracellular space, where, even post-mortem, their killing machinery can endure and remain functional. The antimicrobial activity of neutrophils must not be misconstrued as being microbe specific and should be viewed more generally as biotoxic. Outside of fighting infections, neutrophils can harness their noxious machinery in other contexts, like cancer. Inappropriate or dysregulated neutrophil activation damages the host and contributes to autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Here we review a number of topics related to neutrophil biology based on contemporary findings.
Topics: Animals; Extracellular Space; Humans; Inflammation; Neutrophil Activation; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis
PubMed: 34260886
DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.06.006 -
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy Mar 2023Cancer immunotherapy, mainly including immune checkpoints-targeted therapy and the adoptive transfer of engineered immune cells, has revolutionized the oncology... (Review)
Review
Cancer immunotherapy, mainly including immune checkpoints-targeted therapy and the adoptive transfer of engineered immune cells, has revolutionized the oncology landscape as it utilizes patients' own immune systems in combating the cancer cells. Cancer cells escape immune surveillance by hijacking the corresponding inhibitory pathways via overexpressing checkpoint genes. Phagocytosis checkpoints, such as CD47, CD24, MHC-I, PD-L1, STC-1 and GD2, have emerged as essential checkpoints for cancer immunotherapy by functioning as "don't eat me" signals or interacting with "eat me" signals to suppress immune responses. Phagocytosis checkpoints link innate immunity and adaptive immunity in cancer immunotherapy. Genetic ablation of these phagocytosis checkpoints, as well as blockade of their signaling pathways, robustly augments phagocytosis and reduces tumor size. Among all phagocytosis checkpoints, CD47 is the most thoroughly studied and has emerged as a rising star among targets for cancer treatment. CD47-targeting antibodies and inhibitors have been investigated in various preclinical and clinical trials. However, anemia and thrombocytopenia appear to be formidable challenges since CD47 is ubiquitously expressed on erythrocytes. Here, we review the reported phagocytosis checkpoints by discussing their mechanisms and functions in cancer immunotherapy, highlight clinical progress in targeting these checkpoints and discuss challenges and potential solutions to smooth the way for combination immunotherapeutic strategies that involve both innate and adaptive immune responses.
Topics: Humans; CD47 Antigen; Immunotherapy; Phagocytosis; Immunity, Innate; Adaptive Immunity; Neoplasms
PubMed: 36882399
DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01365-z -
Nature Reviews. Immunology Sep 2023Macrophages are innate immune cells that form a 3D network in all our tissues, where they phagocytose dying cells and cell debris, immune complexes, bacteria and other... (Review)
Review
Macrophages are innate immune cells that form a 3D network in all our tissues, where they phagocytose dying cells and cell debris, immune complexes, bacteria and other waste products. Simultaneously, they produce growth factors and signalling molecules - such activities not only promote host protection in response to invading microorganisms but are also crucial for organ development and homeostasis. There is mounting evidence of macrophages orchestrating fundamental physiological processes, such as blood vessel formation, adipogenesis, metabolism and central and peripheral neuronal function. In parallel, novel methodologies have led to the characterization of tissue-specific macrophages, with distinct subpopulations of these cells showing different developmental trajectories, transcriptional programmes and life cycles. Here, we summarize our growing knowledge of macrophage diversity and how macrophage subsets orchestrate tissue development and function. We further interrelate macrophage ontogeny with their core functions across tissues, that is, the signalling events within the macrophage niche that may control organ functionality during development, homeostasis and ageing. Finally, we highlight the open questions that will need to be addressed by future studies to better understand the tissue-specific functions of distinct macrophage subsets.
Topics: Humans; Macrophages; Phagocytosis; Signal Transduction; Biology
PubMed: 36922638
DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00848-y -
Cell and Tissue Research Sep 2019Living cells depend on a constant supply of energy-rich organic molecules from the environment. Small molecules pass into the interior of the cell via simple diffusion...
Living cells depend on a constant supply of energy-rich organic molecules from the environment. Small molecules pass into the interior of the cell via simple diffusion or active transport carried out by membrane bound transporters; macromolecules, or entire cells, are taken up by endocytosis/phagocytosis, and are degraded intracellularly in specialized membrane bound compartments (lysosomes). Whereas all cells are capable of transporting molecules through the membrane, the efficient procurement, digestion and uptake of nutrients have become the function of specialized cell types and organs, forming the digestive system in multicellular animals. In mammals, for example, the digestive system is comprised of glandular organs with classes of cells specialized in the secretion of enzymes for the extracellular digestion of food particles (e.g., exocrine cells of the salivary gland, pancreas), as well as other organs with absorptive function (e.g., small intestine). Numerous other cell types, such as smooth muscle cells, neurons and enteroendocrine cells, are associated with glandular cells and intestinal cells to promote the digestive process.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Digestion; Digestive System; Immune System; Phagocytosis
PubMed: 31478136
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03102-x -
Journal of Neurochemistry Aug 2021There is growing evidence that excessive microglial phagocytosis of neurons and synapses contributes to multiple brain pathologies. RNA-seq and genome-wide association... (Review)
Review
There is growing evidence that excessive microglial phagocytosis of neurons and synapses contributes to multiple brain pathologies. RNA-seq and genome-wide association (GWAS) studies have linked multiple phagocytic genes to neurodegenerative diseases, and knock-out of phagocytic genes has been found to protect against neurodegeneration in animal models, suggesting that excessive microglial phagocytosis contributes to neurodegeneration. Here, we review recent evidence that microglial phagocytosis of live neurons and synapses causes neurodegeneration in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementias, multiple sclerosis, retinal degeneration and neurodegeneration induced by ischaemia, infection or ageing. We also review factors regulating microglial phagocytosis of neurons, including: nucleotides, frackalkine, phosphatidylserine, calreticulin, UDP, CD47, sialylation, complement, galectin-3, Apolipoprotein E, phagocytic receptors, Siglec receptors, cytokines, microglial epigenetics and expression profile. Some of these factors may be potential treatment targets to prevent neurodegeneration mediated by excessive microglial phagocytosis of live neurons and synapses.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Humans; Microglia; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurons; Phagocytosis; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 33608912
DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15327 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020Phagocytosis is a cellular process for ingesting and eliminating particles larger than 0.5 μm in diameter, including microorganisms, foreign substances, and apoptotic... (Review)
Review
Phagocytosis is a cellular process for ingesting and eliminating particles larger than 0.5 μm in diameter, including microorganisms, foreign substances, and apoptotic cells. Phagocytosis is found in many types of cells and it is, in consequence an essential process for tissue homeostasis. However, only specialized cells termed professional phagocytes accomplish phagocytosis with high efficiency. Macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, dendritic cells, and osteoclasts are among these dedicated cells. These professional phagocytes express several phagocytic receptors that activate signaling pathways resulting in phagocytosis. The process of phagocytosis involves several phases: i) detection of the particle to be ingested, ii) activation of the internalization process, iii) formation of a specialized vacuole called phagosome, and iv) maturation of the phagosome to transform it into a phagolysosome. In this review, we present a general view of our current understanding on cells, phagocytic receptors and phases involved in phagocytosis.
Topics: Apoptosis; Humans; Models, Immunological; Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules; Phagocytes; Phagocytosis; Phagosomes; Receptors, Complement; Receptors, IgG; Receptors, Immunologic; Receptors, Pattern Recognition; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 32582172
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01066