Phosphorylation-dependent interaction of osteopontin with its receptors regulates macrophage migration and activation.

Neutrophil-independent macrophage responses are a prominent part of delayed-type immune and healing processes and depend on T cell-secreted cytokines. An important mediator in this setting is the phosphoprotein osteopontin, whose secretion by activated T cells confers resistance to infection by several intracellular pathogens through recruitment and activation of macrophages. Here, we analyze the structural basis of this activity following cleavage of the phosphoprotein by thrombin into two fragments.