Human glomerular mesangial cell phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils: mediation by a novel CD36-independent vitronectin receptor/thrombospondin recognition mechanism that is uncoupled from chemokine secretion.

In this study we examined the mechanisms by which glomerular mesangial cells ingest apoptotic cells and the mesangial cell response to this event, since there is in vivo evidence that such semiprofessional phagocytes participate in phagocytic clearance of both apoptotic leukocytes and apoptotic resident cells from inflamed glomeruli, thereby promoting resolution of glomerulonephritis. Mesangial cell phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils in vitro was not affected by inhibitors of lectin-like receptors, phosphatidylserine receptors, the 61D3 Ag, and beta1 and beta2 integrins, receptors which have been implicated in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by particular populations of semiprofessional and professional phagocytes. However, the specific inhibitory effects of cationic aminosugars, Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) peptide, and mAbs to phagocyte alpha(v)beta3 vitronectin receptor integrin and "bridging" thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) indicated that mesangial cell phagocytosis of apoptotic cells involved an alpha(v)beta3/TSP mechanism akin to that described for human monocyte-derived macrophages (Mphi) in which Mphi CD36 plays an important role in binding "bridging" TSP1. However, mesangial cells did not express CD36 and there was no evidence for involvement of alternative phagocyte receptors for TSP1, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and sulfatides. Nevertheless, phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by either mesangial cells or Mphi failed to elicit secretion of IL-8 and MCP-1, representatives of each major class of proinflammatory chemotactic cytokines. We conclude that mesangial cell phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils involves a novel CD36-independent, alpha(v)beta3/TSP-mediated mechanism that is uncoupled from chemokine secretion, emphasizing the injury-limiting potential of mesangial cell phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.