Resident murine alveolar and peritoneal macrophages differ in adhesion of apoptotic thymocytes.

ABSTRACT: Apoptotic cells must be cleared efficiently by macrophages (Mø) to prevent autoimmunity, yet their ingestion impairs Mø microbicidal function. The principal murine resident lung phagocyte, the alveolar Mø (AMø), is specifically deficient at apoptotic cell ingestion, both in vitro and in vivo, compared with resident peritoneal Mø (PMø). To further characterize this deficiency, we assayed static adhesion in vitro using apoptotic thymocytes and resident AMø and PMø from normal C57BL/6 mice. Adhesion of apoptotic thymocytes by both types of Mø was rapid, specific, and cold-sensitive. Antibody against the receptor tyrosine kinase MerTK (Tyro12) blocked phagocytosis but not adhesion in both types of Mø. Surfactant protein A increased adhesion and phagocytosis by AMø, but not to the levels seen u

SUBMITTER: Hu B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4138126 | biostudies-literature | 2004 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature