CD47 in Erythrocyte Ageing and Clearance - the Dutch Point of View

Patrick Burger, Dirk de Korte, Timo K van den Berg, Robin van Bruggen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recently, an important role for CD47, a well-known 'don't eat me' signal, in the clearance of aged erythrocytes was revealed. Experimental data support the conversion of CD47 from a 'don't eat me' to an 'eat me' signal through a conformational change in CD47. Intriguingly, erythrocyte phagocytosis after this switch seems to be mediated by the same receptor that normally signals inhibition of phagocytosis, SIRPα. In this review, the possible molecular mechanisms leading to this conformational change in CD47 as well as the possible signal transduction events leading to phagocytosis after this switch are discussed. Lastly, the consequences of this newly identified mode of erythrocyte phagocytosis for the clearance of aged erythrocytes during normal turnover and after erythrocyte transfusion are addressed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)348-52
Number of pages5
JournalTransfus. Med. Hemother.
Volume39
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2012

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