Immunological cells and functions in Gaucher disease

Crit Rev Oncog. 2013;18(3):197-220. doi: 10.1615/critrevoncog.2013004503.

Abstract

The macrophage (MΦ) has been the focus of causality, research, and therapy of Gaucher disease, but recent evidence casts doubt its solitary role in the disease pathogenesis. The excess of glucosylceramide (GC) in such cells accounts for some of the disease manifestations. Evidence of increased expression of C-C and C-X-C chemokines (i.e., CCL2,CXCL1, CXCL8) in Gaucher disease could be critical for monocyte transformation to inflammatory subsets of macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) as well as neutrophil (PMNs) recruitment to visceral organs. These immune responses could be essential for activation of T- and B-cell subsets, and the induction of numerous cytokines and chemokines that participate in the initiation and propagation of the molecular pathogenesis of Gaucher disease. The association of Gaucher disease with a variety of cellular and humoral immune responses is reviewed here to provide a potential foundation for expanding the complex pathophysiology of Gaucher disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Gaucher Disease / immunology*
  • Gaucher Disease / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Nitric Oxide