Brief cross-linking of Fas/APO-1 (CD95) triggers engulfment of pre-apoptotic target cells

Macrophage clearance of dying cells is of crucial importance to maintain tissue homeostasis. Here, we show that brief treatment (15min) of Jurkat T cells with agonistic anti-Fas antibodies or recombinant Fas ligand results in efficient phagocytosis by human monocyte-derived macrophages prior to the occurrence of common biomarkers of apoptosis. Similar findings were obtained when using primary human T cells. Macrophage engulfment of pre-apoptotic target cells was suppressed in the absence of serum. Moreover, pre-apoptotic cells secreted annexin I and administration of Boc1, a formyl peptide receptor/lipoxin receptor antagonist markedly attenuated their engulfment. Finally, pre-apoptotic Jurkat cells induced lower macrophage production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and higher production of interleukin-10 in comparison to apoptotic target cells.