Intercellular Calcium Signaling Induced by ATP Potentiates Macrophage Phagocytosis
Sara Zumerle,
Bianca Calì,
Fabio Munari,
Roberta Angioni,
Francesco Di Virgilio,
Barbara Molon,
Antonella Viola
Affiliations
Sara Zumerle
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy; Corresponding author
Bianca Calì
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
Fabio Munari
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
Roberta Angioni
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
Francesco Di Virgilio
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Barbara Molon
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
Antonella Viola
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
Summary: Extracellular ATP is a signaling molecule exploited by the immune cells for both autocrine regulation and paracrine communication. By performing live calcium imaging experiments, we show that triggered mouse macrophages are able to propagate calcium signals to resting bystander cells by releasing ATP. ATP-based intercellular communication is mediated by P2X4 and P2X7 receptors and is a feature of pro-inflammatory macrophages. In terms of functional significance, ATP signaling is required for efficient phagocytosis of pathogen-derived molecules and apoptotic cells and may represent a target for macrophage regulation by CD39-expressing cells. These results highlight a cell-to-cell communication mechanism tuning innate immunity. : Exchange of information is critical for an efficient immune response. Here, Zumerle et al. show that macrophages exploit ATP release as a paracrine communication mechanism to propagate calcium signals to neighboring cells. Signal propagation relies on P2X4 and P2X7 receptors and sustains macrophage phagocytosis. Keywords: macrophage, adenosine triphosphate, calcium, phagocytosis, P2X receptors
