Merocytophagy is an integrin-stabilized macrophage response to microbes reliant on Syk signaling.

ABSTRACT: Macrophages and dendritic cells acquire bacteria and cytosolic content from other cells without killing the donor cell through a trogocytosis-associated process termed merocytophagy. While characteristics of this behavior have been partially identified, the mechanism and potential contribution to the response to infection are unclear. Here, we reveal that a wide range of distinct species of bacteria stimulate enhanced merocytophagy in macrophages through pattern recognition receptor (PRR). Further, we found that cell-to-cell transfer in response to Francisella tularensis infection occurs in a predominantly MyD88-independent manner, relying on spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) activity. Syk signaling during this response also results in increased surface expression of cell-to-cell adhesio

SUBMITTER: Deobald KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12043706 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature