Promoters and Antagonists of Phagocytosis: A Plastic and Tunable Response

Recent observations indicate that, rather than being an all-or-none response, phagocytosis is finely tuned by a host of developmental and environmental factors. The expression of key phagocytic determinants is regulated via transcriptional and epigenetic means that confer memory on the process. Membrane traffic, the cytoskeleton, and inside-out signaling control the activation of phagocytic receptors and their ability to access their targets. An exquisite extra layer of complexity is introduced by the coexistence of distinct eat-me and don't-eat-me signals on targets and of corresponding eat and don't-eat receptors on the phagocyte surface. Moreover, assorted physical barriers constitute don't-come-close-to-me hurdles that obstruct the engagement of ligands by receptors. The expression, mobility, and accessibility of all these determinants can be modulated, conferring extreme plasticity on phagocytosis and providing attractive targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer, atherosclerosis, and dementia.

Automated summary

Phagocytosis is finely tuned by developmental and environmental factors, with key determinants being regulated via transcriptional and epigenetic means. Membrane traffic, cytoskeleton, and signaling control activation of phagocytic receptors, while the coexistence of various eat-me and don't-eat-me signals adds complexity to the process.