Kirstin's paper is out in JCB!
Congratulations Kirstin and co-authors Sareen and Ishwaree!
In this paper, Kirstin shows that macrophages prefer to trogocytose, or nibble, adherent cancer cells instead of phagocytosing them. This was true in 2D or 3D cell culture models, and if we used chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) or antibodies to trigger phagocytosis. Trogocytosis can be a big problem because it removes antibodies without killing the target cell, leaving behind cancer cells that are invisible to the immune system.
Why do macrophages trogocytose instead of phagocytose? If the cancer cell is adherent, or stuck to other cells, it may be difficult to phagocytose. Kirstin showed that loosening cell adhesions increases phagocytosis, while strengthening them increases trogocytosis. Sareen showed that when cancer cells are dividing, and naturally loosen adhesions, they are eaten more. Congratulations!
