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The Phagocyte, Metchnikoff, and the Foundation of Immunology

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  • Authors: Giuseppe Teti1, Carmelo Biondo2, Concetta Beninati3
  • Editor: Siamon Gordon4
  • VIEW AFFILIATIONS HIDE AFFILIATIONS
    Affiliations: 1: Metchnikoff Laboratory, Department of Pediatric, Gynecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; 2: Metchnikoff Laboratory, Department of Pediatric, Gynecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; 3: Metchnikoff Laboratory, Department of Pediatric, Gynecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; 4: Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
    • Source: microbiolspec April 2016 vol. 4 no. 2 doi:10.1128/microbiolspec.MCHD-0009-2015
  • Received 14 May 2015 Accepted 17 July 2015 Published 22 April 2016
  • Giuseppe Teti, [email protected]
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  • Abstract:

    Since the ability of some cells to engulf particulate material was observed before Metchnikoff, he did not “discover” phagocytosis, as is sometimes mentioned in textbooks. Rather, he assigned to particle internalization the role of defending the host against noxious stimuli, which represented a new function relative to the previously recognized task of intracellular digestion. With this proposal, Metchnikoff built the conceptual framework within which immunity could finally be seen as an active host function triggered by noxious stimuli. In this sense, Metchnikoff can be rightly regarded as the father of all immunological sciences and not only of innate immunity or myeloid cell biology. Moreover, the recognition properties of his phagocyte fit surprisingly well with recent discoveries and modern models of immune sensing. For example, rather than assigning to immune recognition exclusively the function of eliminating nonself components (as others did after him), Metchnikoff viewed phagocytes as homeostatic agents capable of monitoring the internal environment and promoting tissue remodeling, thereby continuously defining the identity of the organism. No doubt, Metchnikoff’s life and creativity can provide, still today, a rich source of inspiration.

  • Citation: Teti G, Biondo C, Beninati C. 2016. The Phagocyte, Metchnikoff, and the Foundation of Immunology. Microbiol Spectrum 4(2):MCHD-0009-2015. doi:10.1128/microbiolspec.MCHD-0009-2015.

References

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38. Davis JE, Gabler NK, Walker-Daniels J, Spurlock ME. 2008. Tlr-4 deficiency selectively protects against obesity induced by diets high in saturated fat. Obesity (Silver Spring) 16:1248–1255. [PubMed][CrossRef]
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42. Chung S, Lapoint K, Martinez K, Kennedy A, Boysen Sandberg M, McIntosh MK. 2006. Preadipocytes mediate lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in primary cultures of newly differentiated human adipocytes. Endocrinology 147:5340–5351. [PubMed][CrossRef]
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44. Arnold G. 1909. Intra-cellular and general digestive processes in Planariae. Quart J Micro Sci 54:207.
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Abstract:

Since the ability of some cells to engulf particulate material was observed before Metchnikoff, he did not “discover” phagocytosis, as is sometimes mentioned in textbooks. Rather, he assigned to particle internalization the role of defending the host against noxious stimuli, which represented a new function relative to the previously recognized task of intracellular digestion. With this proposal, Metchnikoff built the conceptual framework within which immunity could finally be seen as an active host function triggered by noxious stimuli. In this sense, Metchnikoff can be rightly regarded as the father of all immunological sciences and not only of innate immunity or myeloid cell biology. Moreover, the recognition properties of his phagocyte fit surprisingly well with recent discoveries and modern models of immune sensing. For example, rather than assigning to immune recognition exclusively the function of eliminating nonself components (as others did after him), Metchnikoff viewed phagocytes as homeostatic agents capable of monitoring the internal environment and promoting tissue remodeling, thereby continuously defining the identity of the organism. No doubt, Metchnikoff’s life and creativity can provide, still today, a rich source of inspiration.

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The Phagocyte, Metchnikoff, and the Foundation of Immunology
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Citation: Teti G, Biondo C, Beninati C. 2016. The phagocyte, metchnikoff, and the foundation of immunology. microbiolspec 4(2): doi:10.1128/microbiolspec.MCHD-0009-2015
/content/microbiolspec/10.1128/microbiolspec.MCHD-0009-2015.fig1
FIGURE 1

Metchnikoff’s parents. Reproduced from reference 10 , with permission.

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FIGURE 1

Metchnikoff’s parents. Reproduced from reference 10 , with permission.

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FIGURE 2

Olga Metchnikoff. Reproduced from reference 10 , with permission.

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FIGURE 2

Olga Metchnikoff. Reproduced from reference 10 , with permission.

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FIGURE 3

Elie and Olga Metchnikoff. Reproduced from reference 15 , with permission.

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FIGURE 3

Elie and Olga Metchnikoff. Reproduced from reference 15 , with permission.

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FIGURE 4

Columnar cells from a flatworm showing intracellular digestion in planariae. Reproduced from reference 44 .

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FIGURE 4

Columnar cells from a flatworm showing intracellular digestion in planariae. Reproduced from reference 44 .

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FIGURE 5

Elie Metchnikoff at 46 years of age. Reproduced from reference 10 , with permission.

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FIGURE 5

Elie Metchnikoff at 46 years of age. Reproduced from reference 10 , with permission.

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FIGURE 6

Elie Metchnikoff and Alexandre Besredka, Institut Pasteur, 1914. Besredka was a medical doctor from Odessa who collaborated with Metchnikoff at the Institut Pasteur from 1897. Reproduced from reference 10 , with permission.

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FIGURE 6

Elie Metchnikoff and Alexandre Besredka, Institut Pasteur, 1914. Besredka was a medical doctor from Odessa who collaborated with Metchnikoff at the Institut Pasteur from 1897. Reproduced from reference 10 , with permission.

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FIGURE 7

Elie Metchnikoff portrait painted by Olga. Reproduced from reference 15 .

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FIGURE 7

Elie Metchnikoff portrait painted by Olga. Reproduced from reference 15 .

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FIGURE 8

Robert Koch visiting the Institut Pasteur, accompanied by Elie Metchnikoff (1904). Reproduced from reference 15 , with permission.

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FIGURE 8

Robert Koch visiting the Institut Pasteur, accompanied by Elie Metchnikoff (1904). Reproduced from reference 15 , with permission.

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FIGURE 9

Milestones in the life of Elie Metchnikoff.

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FIGURE 9

Milestones in the life of Elie Metchnikoff.

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