Franc N C, White K, Ezekowitz R A
Laboratory of Developmental Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Curr Opin Immunol. 1999 Feb;11(1):47-52. doi: 10.1016/s0952-7915(99)80009-0.
Removal of apoptotic cells and micro-organisms is mediated via phagocytosis. Phagocytes express pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize apoptotic-cell-associated membrane patterns (ACAMPs). Similar ACAMPs and PRRs are used by mammals, Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. Some PRRs recognize apoptotic cells and micro-organisms, suggesting overlap between these functions.
