Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages
06:52

Detection of Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptotic Cell Death in Murine Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages

Published on: May 21, 2018

Anti-apoptotic action of macrophage stimulating protein (MSP)

A Danilkovitch-Miagkova1, E J Leonard

  • 1Section of Immunopathology, Laboratory of Immunobiology, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA. danilkovitch@mail.ncifcrf.gov

Apoptosis : an International Journal on Programmed Cell Death
|June 5, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) protects epithelial cells from apoptosis by activating PI3-K/AKT or MAPK pathways. Adhesion-dependent pathways involving MSP receptors and integrins are crucial for MSP

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The serum protein Macrophage-Stimulating Protein (MSP) is a multifunctional factor regulating cell adhesion, motility, growth, and survival.
  • MSP targets include macrophages and epithelial cells, mediating its effects via the receptor tyrosine kinase RON (human) or SKT (mouse).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms by which MSP protects epithelial cells from apoptosis.
  • To explore the collaborative roles of MSP receptors and integrins in cell survival signaling.
  • To hypothesize potential components of adhesion-dependent anti-apoptotic pathways activated by MSP.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on MSP signaling pathways.
  • Analysis of MSP's interaction with receptor tyrosine kinases (RON/SKT) and integrins.
  • Examination of downstream signaling cascades including PI3-K/AKT and MAPK pathways.

Main Results:

  • MSP activates either the PI3-K/AKT pathway or the MAPK pathway to confer anti-apoptotic effects on epithelial cells.
  • The anti-apoptotic function of the MAPK pathway is dependent on additional signaling activated through cell adhesion.
  • MSP receptors and integrins cooperate to promote cell survival, suggesting a complex interplay in anti-apoptotic signaling.

Conclusions:

  • MSP plays a significant role in epithelial cell survival through distinct signaling pathways.
  • Adhesion-dependent signaling is critical for the full anti-apoptotic effect mediated by MSP via the MAPK pathway.
  • Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is hypothesized as a key component in the adhesion-induced anti-apoptotic pathway activated by MSP.

More Related Videos

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages06:47

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages

Published on: May 24, 2019

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation06:12

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation

Published on: May 3, 2024

Related Concept Videos

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...