Clearance of Apoptotic Cells by Tissue Epithelia: A Putative Role for Hepatocytes in Liver Efferocytosis.
Front Immunol
; 9: 44, 2018.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29422896
ABSTRACT
Toxic substances and microbial or food-derived antigens continuously challenge the liver, which is tasked with their safe neutralization. This vital organ is also important for the removal of apoptotic immune cells during inflammation and has been previously described as a "graveyard" for dying lymphocytes. The clearance of apoptotic and necrotic cells is known as efferocytosis and is a critical liver function to maintain tissue homeostasis. Much of the research into this form of immunological control has focused on Kupffer cells, the liver-resident macrophages. However, hepatocytes (and other liver resident cells) are competent efferocytes and comprise 80% of the liver mass. Little is known regarding the mechanisms of apoptotic and necrotic cell capture by epithelia, which lack key receptors that mediate phagocytosis in macrophages. Herein, we discuss recent developments that increased our understanding of efferocytosis in tissues, with a special focus on the liver parenchyma. We discuss the impact of efferocytosis in health and in inflammation, highlighting the role of phagocytic epithelia.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Phagocytosis
/
Epithelial Cells
/
Parenchymal Tissue
/
Kupffer Cells
/
Liver
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Front Immunol
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom