Phagocytosis, an alternative model system for the study of cell adhesion

Citation

Cougoule C, Wiedemann A, Lim J & Caron E (2004) Phagocytosis, an alternative model system for the study of cell adhesion. Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, 15 (6), pp. 679-689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2004.09.001

Abstract
Cell adhesion encompasses a variety of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesive interactions. Whereas ligation of most adhesion receptors activate Rho-family GTP-binding proteins and the subsequent reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, the molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Because phagocytosis is a spatially restricted adhesion process, it represents a simplified model system to investigate the spatio-temporal regulation of the signalling pathways that link surface adhesion receptors, small GTPases and the actin cytoskeleton. This review highlights some of the similarities between the formation and maintenance of adhesive contacts and phagocytic uptake and discusses why the study of phagocytosis can help understand more complex adhesion processes.

Keywords
Phagocytic uptake; Adhesion; Small GTP-binding proteins; Actin cytoskeleton; Signalling

Journal
Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology: Volume 15, Issue 6