A novel mechanism that regulates cellular injury by phagocytes during inflammation

Phagocytes such as macrophages and neutrophils contain multiple lysosomes, which possess a variety of digestive enzymes. Upon stimulation, phagocytes secrete these digestive enzymes through a process called lysosomal exocytosis to lyse external pathogens or tumor cells. A research team has identified myoferlin as a critical regulator of this process. Furthermore, they found that it plays an important role in inducing cellular injury by phagocytes during inflammation.