Monocyte–Macrophage Lineage Cell Fusion
Małgorzata Kloc, Arijita Subuddhi, Ahmed Uosef, Jacek Z. Kubiak, Rafik M. Ghobrial
Abstract
Cell fusion (fusogenesis) occurs in natural and pathological conditions in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Cells of monocyte-macrophage lineage are highly fusogenic. They create syncytial multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) such as osteoclasts (OCs), MGCs associated with the areas of infection/inflammation, and foreign body-induced giant cells (FBGCs). The fusion of monocytes/macrophages with tumor cells may promote cancer metastasis. We describe types and examples of monocyte-macrophage lineage cell fusion and the role of actin-based structures in cell fusion.
Topics & Concepts
Cell fusionGiant cellMacrophageMultinucleateMonocyteCell biologyBiologyLineage (genetic)InflammationCellImmunologyGeneGeneticsIn vitroBone Metabolism and DiseasesBone and Dental Protein StudiesCancer Research and Treatments