Unexpected role of nonimmune cells: amateur phagocytes

Mayer Sihombing, M. A. E., Safitri, M., Zhou, T., Wang, L., McGinty, S. , Qiu, J. and Wang, G. (2021) Unexpected role of nonimmune cells: amateur phagocytes. DNA and Cell Biology, 40(2), pp. 157-171. (doi: 10.1089/dna.2020.5647) (PMID:33439750)

Abstract

Effective and efficient efferocytosis of dead cells and associated cellular debris are critical to tissue homeostasis and healing of injured tissues. This important task was previously thought to be restricted to professional phagocytes (PPs). However, accumulating evidence has revealed another type of phagocyte, the amateur phagocyte (AP), which can also participate in efferocytosis. APs are non-myeloid progenitor/nonimmune cells that include differentiated cells (e.g., epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells [ECs]) and stem cells (e.g., neuronal progenitor cells and mesenchymal cells) and can be found throughout the human body. Studies have shown that APs have two prominent roles: identifying and removing dead cells presumably before PPs reach the site of injury and assisting PPs in the removal of cell corpses and the resolution of inflamed tissue. With respect to the engulfment and degradation of dead cells, APs are slower and less efficient than PPs. However, APs are fundamental to preventing the spread of inflammation over a large area. In this review, we present the diversity and characteristics of healthy and non-neoplastic APs in mammals. We also propose a hypothetical mechanism of the efferocytosis of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-opsonized myelin debris by ECs (APs). Furthermore, the ingestion and clearance of dead cells can induce proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokine production, endothelial activation, and cellular fate transition, which contribute to the progression of disease. An understanding of the role of APs is necessary to develop effective intervention strategies, including potential molecular targets for clinical diagnosis and drug development, for inflammation-related diseases.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12032007, 31971242, and 31701275), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (cstc2019jcyj-zdxmX0028), and Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, China (KYYJ202001), as well as Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities (2019CDYGZD008).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mcginty, Dr Sean
• Authors: Mayer Sihombing, M. A. E., Safitri, M., Zhou, T., Wang, L., McGinty, S., Qiu, J., and Wang, G.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: DNA and Cell Biology
• Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert
• ISSN: 1044-5498
• ISSN (Online): 1557-7430
• Published Online: 13 January 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
• First Published: First published in DNA and Cell Biology 40(2):157-171
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher