Monocyte activation by necrotic cells is promoted by mitochondrial proteins and formyl peptide receptors

ED Crouser, G Shao, MW Julian, JE Macre… - Critical care …, 2009 - journals.lww.com
Objective: Necrotic cells evoke potent innate immune responses through unclear
mechanisms. The mitochondrial fraction of the cell retains constituents of its bacterial
ancestors, including N-formyl peptides, which are potentially immunogenic. Thus, we
hypothesized that the mitochondrial fraction of the cell, particularly N-formyl peptides,
contributes significantly to the activation of monocytes by necrotic cells. Design: Human
peripheral blood monocytes were incubated with necrotic cell fractions and mitochondrial …