Intercellular Calcium Signaling Induced by ATP Potentiates Macrophage Phagocytosis

Abstract

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