Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Labeling of Extracellular Vesicles for Monitoring Migration and Uptake in Cartilage Explants
07:58

Labeling of Extracellular Vesicles for Monitoring Migration and Uptake in Cartilage Explants

Published on: October 4, 2021

2.6K

Efferocytes release extracellular vesicles to resolve inflammation and tissue injury via prosaposin-GPR37 signaling

Purbasha Bhattacharya1, Umesh Kumar Dhawan2, Mohammed Tayab Hussain2

  • 1CSIR - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.

Cell Reports
|July 12, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Efferocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying prosaposin enhance macrophage efferocytosis and accelerate inflammation resolution. Blocking prosaposin or GPR37 hinders these beneficial effects, highlighting a novel mechanism in tissue repair.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Macrophages resolve inflammation via soluble mediators after clearing apoptotic cells.
  • The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from efferocytes in inflammation resolution remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of efferocyte-derived EVs in modulating inflammation resolution.
  • To identify the specific mediators within these EVs and their mechanisms of action.

Main Methods:

  • Characterization of efferocyte-derived EVs for prosaposin expression.
  • Analysis of prosaposin-GPR37 interaction and downstream signaling (ERK-AP1).
  • Assessment of Tim4 expression and efferocytosis efficiency in macrophages.
  • In vivo studies using neutralization, knockdown, and GPR37 blocking in atherosclerosis models.

Main Results:

  • Efferocyte-derived EVs express prosaposin, which binds macrophage GPR37.
  • Prosaposin binding increases Tim4 expression via an ERK-AP1 pathway, enhancing efferocytosis.
  • Neutralization or knockdown of prosaposin, or GPR37 blockade, abrogates the pro-resolution effects.
  • EV administration in atherosclerosis models improved efferocytosis, reduced necrosis, and decreased inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • Efferocyte-derived EVs, via prosaposin, enhance macrophage efferocytosis and accelerate inflammation resolution.
  • This pathway is critical for tissue repair and reducing inflammatory injury.
  • Prosaposin-GPR37 signaling represents a novel therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases.
Keywords:
CP: ImmunologyGPCRatherosclerosisefferocytosisinflammation resolutionmacrophage

More Related Videos

Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment10:09

Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment

Published on: June 2, 2020

6.9K
Isolation of Low Endotoxin Content Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Cancer Cell Lines06:28

Isolation of Low Endotoxin Content Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Cancer Cell Lines

Published on: February 17, 2023

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Response01:28

Inflammatory Response

An inflammatory response is a localized, nonspecific immune reaction that occurs when a tissue is injured. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are commonly called the cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation can sometimes result in a loss of function.
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
2.2K
Inflammatory Response II: Inflammatory Exudate and Tissue Repair01:24

Inflammatory Response II: Inflammatory Exudate and Tissue Repair

The immune system's inflammatory response destroys the invading pathogen, permitting the tissue to heal. The changes during the cellular and vascular stages allow exudate formation at the site of inflammation. The inflammatory exudate released from the wound has high protein content and a specific gravity above 1.020.
The typical wound exudate is odorless, transparent, straw-colored, thin, and watery. Exudate, however, can differ depending on the state of wound healing. Likewise, the...
5.1K
Overview of Exosomes01:36

Overview of Exosomes

Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
2.8K
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
2.3K
Inflammation01:38

Inflammation

Overview
53.9K
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...
3.9K