Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2013

Abstract

Effective removal of apoptotic cells, particularly apoptotic neutrophils, is essential for the successful resolution of acute inflammatory conditions. In these experiments, we found that whereas interaction between vitronectin and integrins diminished the ability of macrophages to ingest apoptotic cells, interaction between vitronectin with urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) on the surface of apoptotic cells also had equally important inhibitory effects on efferocytosis. Preincubation of vitronectin with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 eliminated its ability to inhibit phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Similarly, incubation of apoptotic cells with soluble uPAR or Abs to uPAR significantly diminished efferocytosis. In the setting of LPSinduced ALI, enhanced efferocytosis and decreased numbers of neutrophils were found in bronchoalveolar lavage obtained from vitronectin-deficient (vtn -/-) mice compared with wild type (vtn+/+) mice. Furthermore, there was increased clearance of apoptotic vtn-/- as compared with vtn+/+ neutrophils after introduction into the lungs of vtn-/- mice. Incubation of apoptotic vtn-/- neutrophils with purified vitronectin before intratracheal instillation decreased efferocytosis in vivo. These findings demonstrate that the inhibitory effects of vitronectin on efferocytosis involve interactions with both the engulfing phagocyte and the apoptotic target cell. Copyright © 2013 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc. All rights reserved.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of Immunology

First Page

2273

Last Page

2281

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