Differential phagocytic expression of IC-21 macrophages and their scavenging receptors during inflammatory induction by oxysterol: A microscopic approach

Phagocytosis by macrophages dates back to a long history in science, this present study deals with new approaches that have been analyzed and standardized towards the interesting aspects of primary and secondary macrophages. The distinct morphological differences in primary and secondary phagocytic cells were observed and the phagocytic response of secondary macrophages under the influence of 7-ketocholesterol and lipopolysaccharide was analyzed. The primary peritoneal and secondary IC-21 cells unveiled explicit differences in nuclear numbers shapes and sizes of the granules present within the cytoplasmic region. Further, potent inducers 7KCh and LPS influenced an effective activation of IC-21 macrophages and resulted in ROS generation, irregulated protein expressions of CD86, CD68, and CD206 with enhanced phagocytic responses towards goat, cow, and human RBC targets with significant phagocytic rate and index were observed. Moreover, a remarkable observation of target specificity and aggregations with IC-21 phagocytic macrophages revealed the notion that specific membrane receptors and secretory molecules (lysosomes) are primarily involved in their phagocytic mechanism. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: IC-21 macrophages are peritoneal origin from mice but the primary peritoneal macrophages and cell line show distinct differences. IC-21 macrophages express target-specific phagocytosis. Phagocytosis in IC-21 macrophages is regulated by CD markers (68, 86, and 206).

Phagocytosis

One hundred years have passed since the death of Élie Metchnikoff (1845-1916). He was the first to observe the uptake of particles by cells and realized the importance of this process, named phagocytosis, for the host response to injury and infection. He also was a strong advocate of the role of phagocytosis in cellular immunity, and with this, he gave us the basis for our modern understanding of inflammation and the innate immune response. Phagocytosis is an elegant but complex process for the ingestion and elimination of pathogens, but it is also important for the elimination of apoptotic cells and hence fundamental for tissue homeostasis. Phagocytosis can be divided into four main steps: (i) recognition of the target particle, (ii) signaling to activate the internalization machinery, (iii) phagosome formation, and (iv) phagolysosome maturation. In this chapter, we present a general view of our current knowledge on phagocytosis performed mainly by professional phagocytes through antibody and complement receptors and discuss aspects that remain incompletely understood.

Human neutrophil Fc gamma receptors: different buttons for different responses

Neutrophils are fundamental cells in host defense. These leukocytes are quickly recruited from the blood to sites of infection or tissue damage. At these sites, neutrophils initiate several innate immune responses, including phagocytosis, production of reactive oxygen species, degranulation to release proteases and other antimicrobial compounds, production of inflammatory mediators, and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. In addition to their role in innate immunity, neutrophils are now recognized as cells that also regulate adaptive immunity, via interaction with dendritic cells and lymphocytes. Neutrophils also respond to adaptive immunity by interacting with antibody molecules. Indeed, antibody molecules allow neutrophils to have antigen-specific responses. Neutrophils express different receptors for antibodies. The receptors for immunoglobulin G molecules are known as Fcγ receptors. Upon Fcγ receptor aggregation on the cell membrane, these receptors trigger distinct signal transduction cascades that activate particular cellular responses. In this review, we describe the major Fcγ receptors expressed on human neutrophils and discuss how each Fcγ receptor activates a choice of signaling pathways to stimulate particular neutrophil responses.

Role of FcγRIII in the nasal cavity of BALB/c mice in the primary amebic meningoencephalitis protection model

Different mechanisms of the host immune response against the primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in the mouse protection model have been described. It has been proposed that antibodies opsonize Naegleria fowleri trophozoites; subsequently, the polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) surround the trophozoites to avoid the infection. FcγRs activate signaling pathways of adapter proteins such as Syk and Hck on PMNs to promote different effector cell functions which are induced by the Fc portion of the antibody-antigen complexes. In this work, we analyzed the activation of PMNs, epithelial cells, and nasal passage cells via the expression of Syk and Hck genes. Our results showed an increment of the FcγRIII and IgG subclasses in the nasal cavity from immunized mice as well as Syk and Hck expression was increased, whereas in the in vitro assay, we observed that when the trophozoites of N. fowleri were opsonized with IgG anti-N. fowleri and interacted with PMN, the expression of Syk and Hck was also increased. We suggest that PMNs are activated via their FcγRIII, which leads to the elimination of the trophozoites in vitro, while in the nasal cavity, the adhesion and consequently infection are avoided.

The formation and function of the neutrophil phagosome

Neutrophils are the most abundant circulating leukocyte and are crucial to the initial innate immune response to infection. One of their key pathogen-eliminating mechanisms is phagocytosis, the process of particle engulfment into a vacuole-like structure called the phagosome. The antimicrobial activity of the phagocytic process results from a collaboration of multiple systems and mechanisms within this organelle, where a complex interplay of ion fluxes, pH, reactive oxygen species, and antimicrobial proteins creates a dynamic antimicrobial environment. This complexity, combined with the difficulties of studying neutrophils ex vivo, has led to gaps in our knowledge of how the neutrophil phagosome optimizes pathogen killing. In particular, controversy has arisen regarding the relative contribution and integration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-derived antimicrobial agents and granule-delivered antimicrobial proteins. Clinical syndromes arising from dysfunction in these systems in humans allow useful insight into these mechanisms, but their redundancy and synergy add to the complexity. In this article, we review the current knowledge regarding the formation and function of the neutrophil phagosome, examine new insights into the phagosomal environment that have been permitted by technological advances in recent years, and discuss aspects of the phagocytic process that are still under debate.

The Multiple Roles of Trogocytosis in Immunity, the Nervous System, and Development

Trogocytosis is a general biological process that involves one cell physically taking small parts of the membrane and other components from another cell. In trogocytosis, one cell seems to take little “bites” from another cell resulting in multiple outcomes from these cell-cell interactions. Trogocytosis was first described in protozoan parasites, which by taking pieces of host cells, kill them and cause tissue damage. Now, it is known that this process is also performed by cells of the immune system with important consequences such as cell communication and activation, elimination of microbial pathogens, and even control of cancer cells. More recently, trogocytosis has also been reported to occur in cells of the central nervous system and in various cells during development. Some of the molecules involved in phagocytosis also participate in trogocytosis. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate trogocytosis are still a mystery. Elucidating these mechanisms is becoming a research area of much interest. For example, why neutrophils can engage trogocytosis to kill Trichomonas vaginalis parasites, but neutrophils use phagocytosis to eliminate already death parasites? Thus, trogocytosis is a significant process in normal physiology that multiple cells from different organisms use in various scenarios of health and disease. In this review, we present the basic principles known on the process of trogocytosis and discuss the importance in this process to host-pathogen interactions and to normal functions in the immune and nervous systems.

The Antibody Receptor Fc Gamma Receptor IIIb Induces Calcium Entry via Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 in Human Neutrophils

Human neutrophils express two unique antibody receptors for IgG, the FcγRIIa and the FcγRIIIb. FcγRIIa contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) sequence within its cytoplasmic tail, which is important for initiating signaling. In contrast, FcγRIIIb is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked receptor with no cytoplasmic tail. Although, the initial signaling mechanism for FcγRIIIb remains unknown, it is clear that both receptors are capable of initiating distinct neutrophil cellular functions. For example, FcγRIIa is known to induce an increase in L-selectin expression and efficient phagocytosis, while FcγRIIIb does not promote these responses. In contrast, FcγRIIIb has been reported to induce actin polymerization, activation of β1 integrins, and formation of neutrophils extracellular traps (NET) much more efficiently than FcγRIIa. Another function where these receptors seem to act differently is the increase of cytoplasmic calcium concentration. It has been known for a long time that FcγRIIa induces production of inositol triphosphate (IP3) to release calcium from intracellular stores, while FcγRIIIb does not use this phospholipid. Thus, the mechanism for FcγRIIIb-mediated calcium rise remains unknown. Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a calcium permeable channel expressed in many cell types including vascular smooth cells, endothelial cells and leukocytes. TRPM2 can be activated by protein kinase C (PKC) and by oxidative stress. Because we previously found that FcγRIIIb stimulation leading to NET formation involves PKC activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, in this report we explored whether TRPM2 is activated via FcγRIIIb and mediates calcium rise in human neutrophils. Calcium rise was monitored after Fcγ receptors were stimulated by specific monoclonal antibodies in Fura-2-loaded neutrophils. The bacterial peptide fMLF and FcγRIIa induced a calcium rise coming initially from internal pools. In contrast, FcγRIIIb caused a calcium rise by inducing calcium entry from the extracellular medium. In addition, in the presence of 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) or of clotrimazole, two inhibitors of TRPM2, FcγRIIIb-induced calcium rise was blocked. fMLF- or FcγRIIa-induced calcium rise was not affected by these inhibitors. These data suggest for the first time that FcγRIIIb aggregation activates TRPM2, to induce an increase in cytoplasmic calcium concentration through calcium internalization in human neutrophils.

Phagocytosis: Our Current Understanding of a Universal Biological Process

Phagocytosis is a cellular process for ingesting and eliminating particles larger than 0.5 μm in diameter, including microorganisms, foreign substances, and apoptotic cells. Phagocytosis is found in many types of cells and it is, in consequence an essential process for tissue homeostasis. However, only specialized cells termed professional phagocytes accomplish phagocytosis with high efficiency. Macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, dendritic cells, and osteoclasts are among these dedicated cells. These professional phagocytes express several phagocytic receptors that activate signaling pathways resulting in phagocytosis. The process of phagocytosis involves several phases: i) detection of the particle to be ingested, ii) activation of the internalization process, iii) formation of a specialized vacuole called phagosome, and iv) maturation of the phagosome to transform it into a phagolysosome. In this review, we present a general view of our current understanding on cells, phagocytic receptors and phases involved in phagocytosis.

iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic profiling of the immune response of the South African abalone, Haliotis midae

The South African abalone Haliotis midae is a commercially important species farmed at high densities in land-based aquaculture systems. Disease outbreaks have had a severe financial impact on the abalone industry yet the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune response of H. midae remain obscure. In this study, a comparative shotgun proteomics approach using iTRAQ coupled with LC-MS/MS was employed to investigate H. midae proteome changes in response to Vibrio anguillarum challenge. A total of 118 non-redundant, unique haemocyte proteins were identified and quantified, with 16 proteins significantly regulated. Hierarchical clustering and pathway analysis uncovered a coordinated response dominated by calcium and cAMP signalling via activation of MAPK cascades. Early up-regulated biological processes involve phagocytosis, nitric oxide production and ATP-synthesis, whilst down-regulated responses were predominantly involved in the regulation of apoptosis. The late up-regulated response involved protein kinase activity and detoxification processes. Expression of selected proteins was validated by Western blot. A putative allograft inflammatory factor-1 protein was further selected to establish its functional molecular role in haemocytes. Confocal imaging revealed that allograft inflammatory factor-1 regulates phagocytosis via a functional interaction with filamentous actin. This is the first time a high-throughput proteomics approach has been used to investigate the immune response of H. midae.

Control of Phagocytosis by Microbial Pathogens

Phagocytosis is a fundamental process of cells to capture and ingest foreign particles. Small unicellular organisms such as free-living amoeba use this process to acquire food. In pluricellular organisms, phagocytosis is a universal phenomenon that all cells are able to perform (including epithelial, endothelial, fibroblasts, etc.), but some specialized cells (such as neutrophils and macrophages) perform this very efficiently and were therefore named professional phagocytes by Rabinovitch. Cells use phagocytosis to capture and clear all particles larger than 0.5 µm, including pathogenic microorganisms and cellular debris. Phagocytosis involves a series of steps from recognition of the target particle, ingestion of it in a phagosome (phagocytic vacuole), maturation of this phagosome into a phagolysosome, to the final destruction of the ingested particle in the robust antimicrobial environment of the phagolysosome. For the most part, phagocytosis is an efficient process that eliminates invading pathogens and helps maintaining homeostasis. However, several pathogens have also evolved different strategies to prevent phagocytosis from proceeding in a normal way. These pathogens have a clear advantage to perpetuate the infection and continue their replication. Here, we present an overview of the phagocytic process with emphasis on the antimicrobial elements professional phagocytes use. We also summarize the current knowledge on the microbial strategies different pathogens use to prevent phagocytosis either at the level of ingestion, phagosome formation, and maturation, and even complete escape from phagosomes.

Phagocytosis: A Fundamental Process in Immunity

One hundred years have passed since the death of Élie Metchnikoff (1845-1916). He was the first to observe the uptake of particles by cells and realized the importance of this process for the host response to injury and infection. He also was a strong advocate of the role of phagocytosis in cellular immunity, and with this he gave us the basis for our modern understanding of inflammation and the innate and acquired immune responses. Phagocytosis is an elegant but complex process for the ingestion and elimination of pathogens, but it is also important for the elimination of apoptotic cells and hence fundamental for tissue homeostasis. Phagocytosis can be divided into four main steps: (i) recognition of the target particle, (ii) signaling to activate the internalization machinery, (iii) phagosome formation, and (iv) phagolysosome maturation. In recent years, the use of new tools of molecular biology and microscopy has provided new insights into the cellular mechanisms of phagocytosis. In this review, we present a general view of our current knowledge on phagocytosis. We emphasize novel molecular findings, particularly on phagosome formation and maturation, and discuss aspects that remain incompletely understood.

Fcγ Receptor Heterogeneity in Leukocyte Functional Responses

Antibodies participate in defense of the organism from all types of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. IgG antibodies recognize their associated antigen via their two Fab portions and are in turn recognized though their Fc portion by specific Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) on the membrane of immune cells. Multiple types and polymorphic variants of FcγR exist. These receptors are expressed in many cells types and are also redundant in inducing cell responses. Crosslinking of FcγR on the surface of leukocytes activates several effector functions aimed toward the destruction of pathogens and the induction of an inflammatory response. In the past few years, new evidence on how the particular IgG subclass and the glycosylation pattern of the antibody modulate the IgG-FcγR interaction has been presented. Despite these advances, our knowledge of what particular effector function is activated in a certain cell and in response to a specific type of FcγR remains very limited today. On one hand, each immune cell could be programmed to perform a particular cell function after FcγR crosslinking. On the other, each FcγR could activate a particular signaling pathway leading to a unique cell response. In this review, I describe the main types of FcγRs and our current view of how particular FcγRs activate various signaling pathways to promote unique leukocyte functions.

Fcgamma receptors exhibit different phagocytosis potential in human neutrophils

In neutrophils, two receptors for IgG antibodies, namely FcgammaRIIA and FcgammaRIIIB are constitutively expressed, and a third one, FcgammaRI, can be upregulated by interferon-gamma. Whether FcgammaRIIIB is capable of triggering phagocytosis by itself is still controversial. The main role of FcgammaRI has not been clearly established in these cells. To address this problem, neutrophils were treated with interferon-gamma, and then phagocytosis mediated by each type of Fcgamma receptor was evaluated by flow cytometry. FcgammaRIIA was the most efficient receptor for phagocytosis. FcgammaRIIIB could mediate phagocytosis but much less efficiently than FcgammaRIIA. Both FcgammaRIIA- and FcgammaRIIIB-mediated phagocytosis were blocked by inhibitors of Src family kinases, Syk, PI 3-K, and ERK. In contrast, interferon-gamma-induced FcgammaRI was not able to mediate phagocytosis. Also, FcgammaRI did not activate ERK in the nucleus, but was however able to stimulate an efficient calcium rise. These data show that different neutrophil Fcgamma receptors possess different phagocytosis capabilities: FcgammaRIIA and FcgammaRIIIB, but not FcgammaRI, promote phagocytosis.

An fMLP receptor is involved in activation of phagocytosis by hemocytes from specific insect species

In mammalian phagocytes, the bacterial formylated peptide fMLP functions both as a potent enhancer of phagocytosis and chemoattractant. fMLP has been reported to be chemotactic for hemocytes of two marine invertebrates, and of the insect Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera). Whether fMLP is also able to activate phagocytosis has not been explored in hemocytes of any invertebrate. To determine the effect of fMLP on insect hemocyte phagocytosis, in vitro phagocytosis assays were performed with hemocytes from the insects: Gromphadorhina portentosa (Blattodea), Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera), Zophobas morio (Coleoptera), and Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera). Phagocytosis of latex, zymosan (yeast), Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was measured by flow cytometry, in the presence of increasing fMLP concentrations. G. portentosa hemocytes showed no enhancement of phagocytosis by fMLP. A. domesticus hemocytes had increased phagocytosis of latex and Gram-negative bacteria in the presence of fMLP. Z. morio hemocytes increased phagocytosis of latex, yeast, and Gram-negative bacteria after fMLP stimulation. Galleria mellonella hemocytes increased phagocytosis of latex after fMLP stimulation. Treating hemocytes with Pertussis toxin, a known inhibitor of the signaling pathway initiated by the mammalian fMLP receptor, returned phagocytosis to basal levels. Also, hemocytes from all insect species tested presented a similar chemotactic response to fMLP. These data suggest that, whereas the ability of hemocytes to chemotactically-respond to fMLP is conserved in insects ranging from Blattodea to Lepidoptera, the ability to respond to fMLP by activating phagocytosis is restricted to specific insect species.

FcgammaRIIA and FcgammaRIIIB mediate nuclear factor activation through separate signaling pathways in human neutrophils

Receptors for IgG Abs (Fcgamma receptors) are capable of triggering diverse cell responses in leukocytes. In neutrophils, two Fcgamma receptors, namely FcgammaRIIA and FcgammaRIIIB, are constitutively expressed. The signaling pathways that regulate FcgammaRIIA-mediated phagocytosis have been relatively well described. However, the different signaling pathways that lead to NF activation after engagement of each Fcgamma receptor have only been partially described. To address this problem, neutrophils were stimulated by cross-linking selectively each type of Fcgamma receptor with specific mAbs, and NF activation was then analyzed. FcgammaRIIIB, but not FcgammaRIIA, promoted a robust increase in phosphorylated ERK in the nucleus, and also efficient phosphorylation of the NF Elk-1. Complete mAb 3G8 (anti-FcgammaRIIIB) induced a higher response than did F(ab')(2) fragments of mAb 3G8, suggesting a possible synergistic effect of both FcgammaR receptors. However, mAb IV.3 (anti-FcgammaRIIA) alone did not cause an increase of phosphorylated ERK in the nucleus. FcgammaRIIIB-induced nuclear phosphorylation of ERK, and of Elk-1, was not affected by Syk, PI3K, or MEK inhibitors. In contrast, FcgammaRIIA- or FcgammaRIIIB-mediated phosphorylation of cytoplasmic ERK depended on Syk, PI3K, and MEK. Also, ERK, but not MEK, was constitutively present in the nucleus, and FcgammaRIIIB cross-linking did not increase the levels of nuclear ERK or MEK. These data clearly show that different neutrophil Fcgamma receptors possess different signaling capabilities. FcgammaRIIIB, but not FcgammaRIIA, activates a unique signaling pathway leading to the nuclear-restricted phosphorylation of ERK and Elk-1, independently of Syk, PI3K, or MEK.