Identification of a factor that links apoptotic cells to phagocytes.
Apoptotic cells are rapidly engulfed by phagocytes to prevent the release of potentially noxious or immunogenic intracellular materials from the dying cells, thereby preserving the integrity and function of the surrounding tissue. Phagocytes engulf apoptotic but not healthy cells, indicating that the apoptotic cells present a signal to the phagocytes, and the phagocytes recognize the signal using a specific receptor. Here, we report a factor that links apoptotic cells to phagocytes. We found that milk fat globule-EGF-factor 8 (MFG-E8), a secreted glycoprotein, was produced by thioglycollate-elicited macrophages. MFG-E8 specifically bound to apoptotic cells by recognizing aminophospholipids such as phosphatidylserine. MFG-E8, when engaged by phospholipids, bound to cells via its RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartate) motif--it bound particularly strongly to cells expressing alpha(v)beta(3) integrin. The NIH3T3 cell transformants that expressed a high level of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin were found to engulf apoptotic cells when MFG-E8 was added. MFG-E8 carrying a point mutation in the RGD motif behaved as a dominant-negative form, and inhibited the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by peritoneal macrophages in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that MFG-E8 secreted from activated macrophages binds to apoptotic cells, and brings them to phagocytes for engulfment.
Hanayama
Rikinari
R
Department of Genetics, Osaka University Medical School, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
Tanaka
Masato
M
Miwa
Keiko
K
Shinohara
Azusa
A
Iwamatsu
Akihiro
A
Nagata
Shigekazu
S
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D017209:Apoptosis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008894:Milk Proteins; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin / Q000378:metabolism; D013864:Thioglycolates / Q000494:pharmacology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C490919:Mfge8 protein, mouse; D008894:Milk Proteins; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin; D013864:Thioglycolates; C047981:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid