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Chapter category: Immunology

Diversity in Phagocytic Signaling: A Story of Greed, Sharing, and Exploitation

This chapter appears in the following book:

Molecular Mechanisms of Phagocytosis

Edited by: Carlos Rosales
ISBN: 0-387-25419-6
» Get more information about this book at landesbioscience.com «

Chapter authors:
Erick Garcia-García

Phagocytosis is the process whereby cells engulf large particles. Phagocytosis is triggered by the interaction of opsonins covering the surface of a phagocytic target with specific phagocyte receptors. In multicellular organisms phagocytosis participates in tissue remodeling and contributes to homeostasis. Higher organisms possess various phagocytic systems. Each system is composed of a series of ligands, specific receptors, and signaling pathways that culminate in particle internalization and destruction. The best studied phagocytic system is that of the receptors that bind to the Fc portion of immunoglobulins. Other phagocytic systems include phagocytosis of complement-opsonized particles, and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. The signaling pathways elicited by many phagocytic receptors are complex and diverse. Comparison between the signaling pathways elicited by many phagocytic receptors shows that phagocytic signaling pathways share many elements. Shared signaling molecules include tyrosine kinases, lipid kinases, phospholipases, and serine/threonine kinases. Additionally, all phagocytic signaling pathways activate cytoskeleton-remodeling molecules. The dynamic nature of the cytoskeleton is thus exploited by all phagocytic systems to achieve particle internalization. In this review I will discuss the connections between the various signaling pathways of different phagocytic systems, and the regulation of cytoskeleton dynamics as a means to achieve particle internalization.

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Additional chapters from this book:

Adding Complexity to Phagocytic Signaling: Phagocytosis-Associated Cell Responses and Phagocytic Efficiency

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Diversity in Phagocytic Signaling: A Story of Greed, Sharing, and Exploitation

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