Role of Rho-family GTP-binding proteins in mammalian phagocytosis -a siRNA approach

生物体必须清除死亡细胞和入侵的微生物。免疫系统的特化细胞，称为巨噬细胞，特别适合清除颗粒物质，这一过程称为吞噬作用。识别或摄取的异常导致炎性疾病和危及生命的感染。我们需要更好地了解吞噬作用的基本机制，以帮助为患有这些疾病的患者设计新药。为此，我们的研究将集中在一类控制吞噬作用的特殊分子上。我们将确定它们中的哪一个控制不同类型颗粒的摄取，以及它们是如何被调节的。因此，以后将有可能设计出阻断吞噬作用的不利影响的药物，同时维持甚至促进（在必要时）这种基本生理过程的有益方面。

It is essential for an organism to get rid of dead cells and invading microorganisms. Specialized cells of the immune system, called macrophages, are particularly equipped for clearance of particulate material, a process referred to as phagocytosis. Anomalies in recognition or uptake result in inflammatory diseases and life-threatening infections. We need to better understand the fundamental mechanisms of phagocytosis to help design new drugs for patients suffering from these diseases. To do so, our research will focus on a particular class of molecules that control phagocytosis. We will determine which of them control uptake of different types of particles, and how they are regulated to do so. Thereby, it will later be possible to design drugs that block the adverse effects of phagocytosis, whilst maintaining of even boosting (where necessary) the beneficial sides of this fundamental physiological process.