Synopsis
Phagocytosis is an ancient host defense system that is also required for resolution of inflammation and normal development. Specific cell types of the innate immune system have specialized cellular machinery required for highly efficient phagocytosis. The process of phagocytosis involves recognition of a target particle followed by signal transduction which leads to engulfment and destruction of the target.
Introduction
Phagocytosis is the cellular ingestion of large particles (≥5 μm). Neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, and dendritic cells are specialized phagocytic cells of the immune system referred to as “professional phagocytes” because they express the receptors and cellular machinery required for highly efficient phagocytosis. Phagocytes engulf and destroy invading microorganisms, and therefore phagocytosis is a critical host defense mechanism. Genetic deficiencies that result in impaired phagocytosis and/or destruction of microorganisms, for example, leukocyte adhesion...
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Bohlson, S. (2014). Phagocytosis. In: Wells, R., Bond, J., Klinman, J., Masters, B., Bell, E. (eds) Molecular Life Sciences. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6436-5_270-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6436-5_270-1
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Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6436-5
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