Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Mares, Chris A
• Sharma, Jyotika
• Li, Qun
• Rangel, Edward L
• Morris, Elizabeth G
• Enriquez, Melissa I
• Teale, Judy M

Titel

Defect in efferocytosis leads to alternative activation of macrophages in Francisella infections

Ist Teil von

• Immunology and cell biology, 2011-02, Vol.89 (2), p.167-172

Ort / Verlag

United States: Nature Publishing Group

Erscheinungsjahr

2011

Quelle

Wiley Online Library All Journals

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• The macrophage is a versatile cell type that can sense and respond to a particular need based on the conditions of the microenvironment. Some studies have recently suggested that pathogens can directly influence the polarization of macrophages. As Francisella infections are characterized by intense necrotic infiltrates in the lung as well as in distal sites of infection, we sought to investigate whether pulmonary Francisella infections could cause the polarization of alternatively activated macrophages (M2/aaMs). Our results indicate that Francisella infections can cause the polarization of M2/aaM in vivo and that macrophages can be polarized toward an M2/aaM phenotype more potently if dead cell debris is used for stimulation in the presence and absence of Francisella infections. Finally, we also demonstrate that efferocytosis is inhibited in macrophages infected with Francisella, thus providing a potential explanation for the lack of clearance and eventual accumulation of dead cell debris associated with this disease.