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Efficient Clearance of Early Apoptotic Cells by Human Macrophages Requires M2c Polarization and MerTK Induction

Open access
Zizzo, Gaetano, Hilliard, Brendan A, Monestier, Marc, Cohen, Philip L·2012·The Journal of Immunology

Abstract

Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) is a major macrophage apoptotic cell (AC) receptor. Its functional impairment promotes autoimmunity and atherosclerosis, whereas overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in cancer. However, little is known about mechanisms regulating MerTK expression in humans. We found that MerTK expression is heterogenous among macrophage subsets, being mostly restricted to anti-inflammatory M2c (CD14+CD16+CD163+CD204+CD206+CD209−) cells, differentiated by M-CSF or glucocorticoids. Small numbers of MerTK+ “M2c-like” cells are also detectable among circulating CD14brightCD16+ monocytes. MerTK expression levels adapt to changing immunologic environment, being suppressed in M1 and M2a macrophages and in dendritic cells. Remarkably, although glucocorticoid-induced differentiation is IL-10 independent, M-CSF–driven M2c polarization and related MerTK upregulation require IL-10. However, neither IL-10 alone nor TGF-β are sufficient to fully differentiate M2c (CD16+CD163+MerTK+) macrophages. M-CSF and IL-10, both released by T lymphocytes, may thus be required together to promote regulatory T cell–mediated induction of anti-inflammatory monocytes-macrophages. MerTK enables M2c macrophages to clear early ACs more efficiently than other macrophage subsets, and it mediates AC clearance by CD14brightCD16+ monocytes. Moreover, M2c cells release Gas6, which in turn amplifies IL-10 secretion via MerTK. IL-10–dependent induction of the Gas6/MerTK pathway may, therefore, constitute a positive loop for M2c macrophage homeostasis and a critical checkpoint for maintenance of anti-inflammatory conditions. Our findings give new insight into human macrophage polarization and favor a central role for MerTK in regulation of macrophage functions. Eliciting M2c polarization can have therapeutic utility for diseases such as lupus, in which a defective AC clearance contributes to initiate and perpetuate the pathological process.

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Metadata

Authors
Zizzo, G., Hilliard, B. A., Monestier, M., & Cohen, P. L.
Venue
The Journal of Immunology
Published
2012-10-01
Volume
189
Issue
7
Pages
3508-3520
ISSN
  • 0022-1767 (ISSN-L)
  • 1550-6606
OpenAlex
W2144741217
Cited by
646
References
9
FWCI
10.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
bronze

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Efficient Clearance of Early Apoptotic Cells by Human Macrophages Requires M2c Polarization and MerTK Induction. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.4049/jimmunol.1200662
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Zizzo, G., Hilliard, B. A., Monestier, M., & Cohen, P. L. (2012). Efficient Clearance of Early Apoptotic Cells by Human Macrophages Requires M2c Polarization and MerTK Induction. The Journal of Immunology. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1200662

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