Find-me signals

Cells destined for apoptosis release molecules referred to as find-me signals. These signal molecules are used to attract phagocytes which engulf and eliminate damaged cells.[1] Find-me signals are typically released by the apoptotic cells while the cell membrane remains intact. This ensures that the phagocytic cells are able to remove the dying cells before their membranes are compromised.[2][3] A leaky membrane leads to secondary necrosis which may cause additional inflammation, therefore, it is best to remove dying cells before this occurs.[3] One cell is capable of releasing multiple find-me signals. Should a cell lack the ability to release its find-me signal, other cells may release additional find-me signals to overcome the discrepancy.[1]

Inflammation can be suppressed by find-me signals during cell clearance.[1] A phagocyte may also be able to engulf more material or enhance its ability to engulf materials when stimulated by find-me signals.[1]

A wide range of molecules, from cellular lipids, proteins, peptides, to nucleotides, act as find-me signals.[3][4][5]

  1. ^ a b c d Medina, C. B.; Ravichandran, K. S. (June 2016). "Do not let death do us part: 'find-me' signals in communication between dying cells and the phagocytes". Cell Death & Differentiation. 23 (6): 979–989. doi:10.1038/cdd.2016.13. ISSN 1476-5403. PMC 4987731. PMID 26891690. S2CID 3844824.
  2. ^ Ravichandran, Kodi S. (2010-08-30). "Find-me and eat-me signals in apoptotic cell clearance: progress and conundrums". Journal of Experimental Medicine. 207 (9): 1807–1817. doi:10.1084/jem.20101157. PMC 2931173. PMID 20805564. S2CID 16408375.
  3. ^ a b c Ravichandran, Kodi S. (2011-10-28). "Beginnings of a Good Apoptotic Meal: The Find-Me and Eat-Me Signaling Pathways". Immunity. 35 (4): 445–455. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2011.09.004. ISSN 1074-7613. PMC 3241945. PMID 22035837.
  4. ^ Medina, C B; Ravichandran, K S (2016). "Do not let death do us part: 'find-me' signals in communication between dying cells and the phagocytes". Cell Death & Differentiation. 23 (6): 979–989. doi:10.1038/cdd.2016.13. ISSN 1350-9047. PMC 4987731. PMID 26891690.
  5. ^ Cockram, Tom O. J.; Dundee, Jacob M.; Popescu, Alma S.; Brown, Guy C. (2021-06-09). "The Phagocytic Code Regulating Phagocytosis of Mammalian Cells". Frontiers in Immunology. 12: 629979. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.629979. ISSN 1664-3224. PMC 8220072. PMID 34177884. Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.