IL-10-producing macrophages preferentially clear early apoptotic cells.
Efficient clearance of apoptotic cells seems to be a prerequisite to prevent the development of autoimmunity. Here we identify that macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-driven macrophages (Mø2s) are potent phagocytes that have the unique capacity to preferentially bind and ingest early apoptotic cells. This macrophage subset has intrinsic anti-inflammatory properties, characterized by high interleukin-10 (IL-10) production in the absence of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Importantly, whereas the IL-6 and TNF-alpha production by granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF-driven macrophages (Mø1s) is inhibited upon uptake of apoptotic cells, the anti-inflammatory status of Mø2 is retained during phagocytosis. Mø2s were shown to use CD14 to tether apoptotic cells, whereas recognition of phosphatidylserine (PS) contributed to uptake of early apoptotic cells. Mø2s showed more potent macropinocytosis compared with dendritic cells (DCs) and Mø1s, and uptake of apoptotic cells was inhibited by a macropinocytosis inhibitor. Our studies suggest that, under steady-state conditions, IL-10-producing Mø2s are prominently involved in the clearance of early apoptotic cells.
Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
Wei
W
Xu
Anja
A
Roos
Nicole
N
Schlagwein
Andrea M
AM
Woltman
Mohamed R
MR
Daha
Cees
C
van Kooten
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology*; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000276:immunology; D010873:Pinocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; C508609:IL10 protein, human; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D016753:Interleukin-10