Masking of phosphatidylserine inhibits apoptotic cell engulfment and induces autoantibody production in mice.
Apoptotic cells are rapidly phagocytosed by professional phagocytes, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. This process prevents the release of potentially noxious or immunogenic intracellular materials from dying cells, and is thought to play a critical role for the maintenance of normal functions in surrounding tissues. Milk fat globule-EGF-factor 8 (MFG-E8), secreted by activated macrophages and immature dendritic cells, links apoptotic cells and phagocytes, and promotes phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Here, we report that an MFG-E8 mutant, designated as D89E, carrying a point mutation in an RGD motif, inhibited not only the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by a wide variety of phagocytes, but also inhibited the enhanced production of IL-10 by thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages phagocytosing apoptotic cells. When intravenously injected into mice, the D89E protein induced the production of autoantibodies including antiphospholipids antibodies and antinuclear antibodies. The production of autoantibodies was enhanced by the coinjection of syngeneic apoptotic thymocytes. After the induction of autoantibody production by D89E, the treated mice showed a long-term elevation of the titer for autoantibodies, and developed IgG deposition in the glomeruli. These results indicated that the impairment of apoptotic cell phagocytosis led to autoantibody production.
Department of Genetics, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
Kenichi
K
Asano
Miyu
M
Miwa
Keiko
K
Miwa
Rikinari
R
Hanayama
Hiroko
H
Nagase
Shigekazu
S
Nagata
Masato
M
Tanaka
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001323:Autoantibodies; C490919:Mfge8 protein, mouse; D008894:Milk Proteins; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D016753:Interleukin-10