Suppressing or Enhancing Macrophage Engulfment through the Use of CD47 and Related Peptides

Foreign particles and microbes are rapidly cleared by macrophages in vivo, although many key aspects of uptake mechanisms remain unclear. “Self” cells express CD47 which functions as an anti-phagocytic ligand for SIRPα on macrophages, particularly when pro-phagocytic ligands such as antibodies are displayed in parallel. Here, we review CD47 and related “Self” peptides as modulators of macrophage uptake. Nanoparticles conjugated with either CD47 or peptides derived from its SIRPα binding site can suppress phagocytic uptake by macrophages in vitro and in vivo, with similar findings for CD47-displaying viruses. Drugs, dyes, and genes as payloads thus show increased delivery to targeted cells. On the other hand, CD47 expression by cancer cells enables such cells to evade macrophages and immune surveillance. This has motivated development of soluble antagonists to CD47-SIRPα, ranging from blocking antibodies in the clinic to synthetic peptides in preclinical models. CD47 and peptides are thus emerging as dual-use phagocytosis modulators against diseases.