Non-Myeloid Cell Phagocytosis

As professional phagocytes, myeloid cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils, are often the targets for investigation and analysis of phagocytosis. Phagocytosis, however, has also been observed in nonmyeloid cells, including epithelium, mesenchymal, and smooth muscle cells. Colloquially known as nonprofessional phagocytes, these nonmyeloid cells are capable of phagocytosis of pathogenic material and efferocytosis of apoptotic bodies. Cells, such as those found in the epithelium, are often the primary site for viral and bacterial infection and have evolved to possess strong anti-pathogenic machinery of their own. The processes by which nonmyeloid cells can engage in phagocytic functions have wide implications for tissue homeostasis and disease pathogenesis, including infection and colonization. This chapter will review the phagocytosis capabilities in these nonmyeloid cells.