Activation of macrophage complement receptors for phagocytosis.

Abstract

Macrophage complement receptors, while innately incapable of promoting phagocytosis, can be activated to do so by a number of inflammatory stimuli and by several immunologic mechanisms. Studies with a complement receptor-activating lymphokine reveal that activation occurs as a result of mobilization of innately immobile receptors and suggest that receptor mobility is a prerequisite for phagocytosis. Since Fc receptors are susceptible to blockade by immune complexes at inflammatory sites, phagocytosis mediated by macrophage complement receptors may be of prime importance in vivo.