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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Attraction of phagocytes by apoptotic cells is mediated by lysophosphatidylcholine
Ruediger B Mueller1, Ahmed Sheriff, Udo S Gaipl
1Department of Internal Medicine 3, Institute of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany. ruediger.muellr@gmx.org
Abstract:
Apoptotic cells promote the phagocytosis of themselves via the exposure of "eat me" signals. Furthermore, a second, "find me" signal is required to attract phagocytes. In this review the double function of lysophosphatidylcholine for the clearance of apoptotic material as factor leading to attraction of phagocytes as a soluble "find me" signal and opsonisation of apoptotic cells as a membrane bound "eat me" signal is outlined. Lysophosphatidylcholine, exerting this bivalent function, leads to a sufficient clearance of apoptotic cell as a "keep calm" mechanism to prevent activation of the immune system by secondary necrosis.
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