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Updated: Aug 11, 2025
Quantification of Efferocytosis by Single-cell Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: August 18, 2018
Cellular mechanisms underlying the impairment of macrophage efferocytosis
Yonggang Ma1, Scott S Kemp1, Xiaoyuan Yang1
1Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Abstract:
The phagocytosis and clearance of dying cells by macrophages, a process termed efferocytosis, is essential for both maintaining homeostasis and promoting tissue repair after infection or sterile injury. If not removed in a timely manner, uncleared cells can undergo secondary necrosis, and necrotic cells lose membrane integrity, release toxic intracellular components, and potentially induce inflammation or autoimmune diseases. Efferocytosis also initiates the repair process by producing a wide range of pro-reparative factors. Accumulating evidence has revealed that macrophage efferocytosis defects are involved in the development and progression of a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The underlying mechanisms of efferocytosis impairment are complex, disease-dependent, and incompletely understood. In this review, we will first summarize the current knowledge about the normal signaling and metabolic processes of macrophage efferocytosis and its importance in maintaining tissue homeostasis and repair. We then will focus on analyzing the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying efferocytotic abnormality (impairment) in disease or injury conditions. Next, we will discuss the potential molecular targets for enhanced efferocytosis in animal models of disease. To provide a balanced view, we will also discuss some deleterious effects of efferocytosis.
Insights
Efficient clearance of dying cells by macrophages, known as efferocytosis, is vital for tissue repair and preventing inflammation. Defects in this process contribute to various diseases, highlighting potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Efferocytosis, the clearance of dying cells by macrophages, is crucial for tissue homeostasis and repair.
- Failure in timely efferocytosis can lead to secondary necrosis, inflammation, and autoimmune responses.
- Defects in macrophage efferocytosis are implicated in numerous inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the normal processes and importance of macrophage efferocytosis.
- To analyze the molecular mechanisms of efferocytosis impairment in disease.
- To discuss potential therapeutic targets for enhancing efferocytosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current knowledge on efferocytosis.
- Analysis of signaling and metabolic pathways involved in efferocytosis.
- Examination of molecular and cellular mechanisms of efferocytosis defects.
Main Results:
- Efferocytosis is essential for initiating tissue repair through pro-reparative factors.
- Complex and incompletely understood mechanisms underlie efferocytosis impairment in disease.
- Potential molecular targets for enhancing efferocytosis in disease models have been identified.
Conclusions:
- Dysfunctional efferocytosis contributes significantly to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
- Targeting efferocytosis pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for various conditions.
- Understanding efferocytosis mechanisms is key to developing novel treatments for related diseases.
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