Trogocytosis between Non-Immune Cells for Cell Clearance, and among Immune-Related Cells for Modulating Immune

Ko-Jen Li1, Cheng-Han Wu1,2, Cheng-Hsun Lu1,2

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 10002, Taiwan.

The term trogocytosis refers to a rapid bidirectional and active transfer of surface membrane fragment and associated proteins between cells. The trogocytosis requires cell-cell contact, and exhibits fast kinetics and the limited lifetime of the transferred molecules on the surface of the acceptor cells. The biological actions of trogocytosis include information exchange, cell clearance of unwanted tissues in embryonic development, immunoregulation, cancer surveillance/evasion, allogeneic cell survival and infectious pathogen killing or intercellular transmission. In the present review, we will extensively review all these aspects. In addition to its biological significance, aberrant trogocytosis in the immune system leading to autoimmunity and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases will also be discussed. Finally, the prospective investigations for further understanding the molecular basis of trogocytosis and its clinical applications will also be proposed.

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