Engulfment and Degradation of Apoptotic Cells, and Its Failure

Research Project Outline

Everyday several billions of cells undergo apoptosis in our bodies. They are swiftly engulfed by macrophages for degradation. More than 10 billions of red blood cells are produced everyday. During erythro-poiesis, nuclei are expelled from erythroid precursor cells and engulfed by macrophages. The failure of this process, the engulfment and degradation of apoptotic cells and nuclei, causes systemic lupus ery-thematosus (SLE)-type autoimmune disease and strong infl ammation accompanied by anemia and polyarthritis. In this project, we will study the molecular mechanism how the ineffi cient engulfment and degrada-tion of dead cells and nuclei cause the autoimmune disease and in-fl ammation.

Related Links

• Laboratory Website: http://www2.mfour.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~nagata/English%20Site/Home%20top%20en.html