Macrophage scavenger receptor marco: In vitro and in vivo regulation and involvement in the anti-bacterial host defense

Luc J.W. Van Der Laan, Maarit Kangas, Ed A. Döpp, Ellen Broug-Holub, Outi Elomaa, Karl Tryggvason, Georg Kraal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

80 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recently, a novel murine member of the scavenger receptor class A family, designated MARCO, has been cloned [4]. Scavenger receptors have a characteristic broad ligand specificity and are able to bind various substances, including bacteria cell surface components. The receptor MARCO is expressed by a distinct subset of macrophages in spleen and lymph nodes. Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specifically directed against MARCO, we investigated the regulation of this receptor in vitro and in vivo. Stimulation of the mouse macrophage cell line J774.2 in vitro with bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induces upregulation of MARCO surface expression. In accordance with this observation, in mice suffering from endotoxin shock caused by bacterial infection, expression of MARCO is induced on macrophages in the liver, lung and spleen, which normally do not express this receptor. We found that two of the anti-MARCO mAbs, ED29 and ED31, were able to block ligand binding. They inhibited the uptake of heat-killed Escherichia coli by MARCO expressing CHO cells. Further experiments will be needed to confirm the importance of MARCO in the anti-bacterial host defense.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)203-208
Number of pages6
JournalImmunology Letters
Volume57
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 1997
Externally publishedYes

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