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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

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Nuclear Receptors and Clearance of Apoptotic Cells: Stimulating the Macrophage's Appetite

Noelia A-Gonzalez1, Andrés Hidalgo1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Atherothrombosis and Imaging, Fundación Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares , Madrid , Spain.

Frontiers in Immunology
|May 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear receptors regulate macrophage functions during apoptotic cell clearance. These receptors enhance the immune system's ability to manage dead cells, maintaining tissue balance and preventing inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Macrophages are crucial for clearing apoptotic cells to maintain tissue homeostasis.
  • Efficient clearance prevents inflammation caused by dying cells.
  • Nuclear receptors, like liver X receptor and proliferator-activated receptor, influence macrophage behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of nuclear receptors in macrophage-mediated apoptotic cell clearance.
  • To highlight how nuclear receptors modulate macrophage metabolism and inflammatory responses.
  • To explore the regulation of "eat-me" signal receptors by nuclear receptors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on nuclear receptors and macrophage phagocytosis.
  • Analysis of gene expression patterns related to metabolism and inflammation.
  • Investigation of receptor-mediated signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Nuclear receptors activate genes involved in processing engulfed cellular material.
  • They also regulate inflammatory genes, promoting "immunologically silent" clearance.
  • Activated nuclear receptors upregulate "eat-me" signal receptors on macrophages.

Conclusions:

  • Nuclear receptors are key regulators of macrophage responses to apoptotic cells.
  • They orchestrate metabolic and inflammatory pathways for efficient and safe cell clearance.
  • Targeting nuclear receptors could enhance macrophage-mediated tissue repair and homeostasis.
Keywords:
apoptotic cell clearanceinflammationliver X receptorsmacrophagesnuclear receptors

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