Building the phagocytic cup on an actin scaffold

Cells ingest large particles, such as bacteria, viruses, or apoptotic cells, via the process of phagocytosis, which involves formation of an actin-rich structure known as the phagocytic cup. Phagocytic cup assembly and closure results from a concerted action of phagocytic receptors, regulators of actin polymerization, and myosin motors. Recent studies using advanced imaging approaches and biophysical techniques have revealed new information regarding phagocytic cup architecture, regulation of actin assembly, and the distribution, direction, and magnitude of the forces produced by the cytoskeletal elements that form the cup. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms leading to the assembly, expansion, and closure of phagocytic cups. The new data show that engulfment and internalization of phagocytic targets rely on several distinct yet complementary mechanisms that support the robust uptake of foreign objects and may be precisely tailored to the demands of specific phagocytic pathways.

Automated summary

Cells utilize phagocytosis to ingest large particles, and recent studies have provided new insights into the architecture and regulation of the phagocytic cup. The assembly and closure of the phagocytic cup involve multiple factors and the generation of forces by cytoskeletal elements. These findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying the formation, expansion, and closure of phagocytic cups, which rely on distinct yet complementary mechanisms to efficiently engulf foreign objects.