In mammals, phagocytosis is essential for a variety of biological events, including tissue remodeling and the continuous clearance of dying cells. Furthermore, phagocytosis represents an early and crucial event in triggering host defenses against invading pathogens, which is the focus of this commentary. Phagocytosis comprises a series of events, starting with the binding and recognition of particles by cell surface receptors, followed by the formation of actin-rich membrane extensions around the particle. Fusion of the membrane extensions results in phagosome formation, which precedes phagosome maturation into a phagolysosome. Pathogens inside the phagolysosome are destroyed by lowered pH, hydrolysis, and radical attack. As a result of this process, pathogen-derived molecules can be presented at the cell surface (antigen presentation), allowing the induction of acquired immunity (1). These early events that are mediated by the innate immune system are critical for host survival. Here we...
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5 January 2004
Commentary|
January 05 2004
Phagocytosis, Innate Immunity, and Host–Pathogen Specificity
Phillip Henneke,
Phillip Henneke
1Children's Hospital, Albert-Ludwigs-University, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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Douglas T. Golenbock
Douglas T. Golenbock
2University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Worcester, MA 01605
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Phillip Henneke
1Children's Hospital, Albert-Ludwigs-University, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
Douglas T. Golenbock
2University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Worcester, MA 01605
Address correspondence to Douglas T. Golenbock, UMASS Medical School, 364 Plantation St., LRB 309, Worcester, MA 01605. Phone: (508) 856-5980; Fax: (508) 856-5463; email: [email protected]; or Phillip Henneke, Children's Hospital, Mathildenstr. 1, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. Phone: 49-761-2704300; Fax: 49-761-2704454; email: [email protected]
Received:
December 03 2003
Accepted:
December 10 2003
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
The Rockefeller University Press
2004
J Exp Med (2004) 199 (1): 1–4.
Article history
Received:
December 03 2003
Accepted:
December 10 2003
Citation
Phillip Henneke, Douglas T. Golenbock; Phagocytosis, Innate Immunity, and Host–Pathogen Specificity . J Exp Med 5 January 2004; 199 (1): 1–4. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20031256
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