Abstract
Phagocytosis is a cellular process for ingesting and eliminating particles larger than 0.5 μm in diameter, including microorganisms, foreign substances, and apoptotic cells. Phagocytosis is found in many types of cells and it is, in consequence an essential process for tissue homeostasis. However, only specialized cells termed professional phagocytes accomplish phagocytosis with high efficiency. Macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, dendritic cells, and osteoclasts are among these dedicated cells. These professional phagocytes express several phagocytic receptors that activate signaling pathways resulting in phagocytosis. The process of phagocytosis involves several phases: i) detection of the particle to be ingested, ii) activation of the internalization process, iii) formation of a specialized vacuole called phagosome, and iv) maturation of the phagosome to transform it into a phagolysosome. In this review, we present a general view of our current understanding on cells, phagocytic receptors and phases involved in phagocytosis.
Highlights
Phagocytosis is a basic process for nutrition in unicellular organisms, and it is found in almost all cell types of multicellular organisms
Macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, dendritic cells, and osteoclasts are among these dedicated cells
Professional phagocytes are responsible of removing microorganisms and of presenting antigens to lymphocytes in order to activate an adaptive immune response
Summary
Phagocytosis is a basic process for nutrition in unicellular organisms, and it is found in almost all cell types of multicellular organisms. Upon binding to the particle, phagocytic receptors initiate signaling pathways leading to remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and lipids in the membrane, that result in the membrane extending to cover the particle [15]. The phagocytic receptors bind to the target in a sequential order and help completing the formation of the phagosome [16, 17].
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