Stabilin-2 mediated apoptotic cell phagocytosis induces interleukin-10 expression by p38 and Pbx1 signaling.

Apoptotic cell death occurs under normal physiological conditions, such as development, tissue remodeling, and inflammation. Appropriate removal of apoptotic cells by phagocytes and the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 are important mechanisms for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Apoptotic cell phagocytosis is mediated by several phosphatidylserine recognition receptors on non-professional or professional phagocytes, such as neighboring epithelial cells or macrophages. Stabilin-2 is reported as a phosphatidylserine recognition receptor for apoptotic cell phagocytosis, and its downstream signaling pathway for cytoskeletal rearrangement for phagocytosis is well known. However, the mechanisms for stabilin-2-mediated IL-10 production has not yet been reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate stabilin-2 receptor-mediated IL-10 transcription regulation signaling pathway.