Diversity in phagocytic signalling.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Phagocytosis is a phylogenetically ancient process triggered by particulate ligands, such as bacteria, fungi and environmental particles. The spectrum of phagocytically competent cell types and receptors is diverse, but many of the basic processes of cytoskeletal rearrangement and membrane trafficking that accompany phagocytosis are conserved. Insights from studies of lower eukaryotes, such as Dictyostelium, Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila have contributed greatly to our understanding of the phagocytic pathway. Here, I focus on only a few examples of phagocytosis and bacterial invasion in mammalian cells, in which specific receptors have been identified and signal transduction pathways have been mapped. Owing to space constraints, the roles of lipid microdomains in phagocytosis and clearance of apoptotic bodies are not covered. The examples provided below emphasize the ability of the host cell to utilize different surface receptors to engage the phagocytic machinery.