Trends in Immunology
Volume 23, Issue 3, 1 March 2002, Pages 158-164
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Review
Caveolae and caveolin in immune cells: distribution and functions

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1471-4906(01)02161-5Get rights and content

Abstract

Caveolae are small, cholesterol-rich, hydrophobic membrane domains, characterized by the presence of the protein caveolin and involved in several cellular processes, including clathrin-independent endocytosis, the regulation and transport of cellular cholesterol, and signal transduction. Recently, caveolae have been identified as providing a novel route by which several pathogens are internalized by antigen-presenting cells and as centers for signal transduction. Here, we review the distribution and role of caveolae and caveolin in mammalian immune cells.

Section snippets

Caveolae and caveolin in immune cells

The presence of caveolae and/or caveolin in immune cells is a contentious issue on which there is no current consensus, although much research suggests that they are found commonly in myeloid, but not lymphoid, cells. However, more-recent evidence suggests that this is not the case; caveolae and/or caveolin are present in all types of immune cell and their expression and/or distribution might be dependent on the activation and/or maturation state of the cell.

Caveolae and/or caveolin have been

Interactions of caveolae with pathogens

Several pathogen-caveolae interactions have been described. In many cases, particularly for bacterial pathogens and their exotoxins, such interactions might have evolved to facilitate entry of the pathogen into host cells, avoiding routes that would lead normally to pathogen destruction.

Other functions of caveolae and caveolin

In addition to their role in endocytosis and pathogen uptake, caveolae and caveolin are involved also in other cellular functions, including the transport and regulation of cholesterol, and signal transduction. These effects are of potential importance for the normal functioning of immune cells.

Concluding remarks

The existence of caveolae has been known since the 1950s [1] but only now, is an understanding of their functions developing. The more well-established of these – endocytosis, cholesterol transport and/or regulation, and signal transduction – are all of potential importance for the normal functioning of immune cells, as well as the specific response to pathogens and their exotoxins. In many cases, by targeting caveolae as an endocytic pathway, pathogens are able to transport directly to the

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank D. Harris for help with image presentation, M. Mueller for help with electron microscopy and P. Monaghan for help and advice with confocal microscopy.

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