How Target Cell Stickiness Reduces Macrophage Eating and Increases Cell Nibbling

Macrophages preferentially trogocytose rather than phagocytose adherent target cells.

• Macrophage responses to targets can involve either trogocytosis or phagocytosis, often triggered by similar signals.
• Disruption of target cell adhesion through integrin interference enhances macrophage phagocytosis.
• Increased cell-cell adhesion reduces the likelihood of macrophages phagocytosing target cells.
• Mitotic cells, which exhibit reduced adhesion, are more likely to be phagocytosed by macrophages.
• Overall, the adhesion status of target cells is associated with the preference for trogocytosis over phagocytosis.

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