C1q and phagocytosis: the perfect complement to a good meal.
Complement component C1q is a member of a family of soluble proteins called defense collagens, which are important in host defense and apoptotic cell clearance. Failure to efficiently clear apoptotic cells in the absence of C1q is associated with autoimmunity. Here, we review the literature describing a central role for C1q in the enhancement of phagocyte function and focus specifically on C1q in apoptotic cell clearance. In addition, we highlight our recent findings demonstrating that C1q elicits a macrophage phenotype that is tailored specifically for clearance of apoptotic cells.
Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
Manuel D
MD
Galvan
Mallary C
MC
Greenlee-Wacker
Suzanne S
SS
Bohlson
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D015922:Complement C1q / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*
D015922:Complement C1q