Methods for Quantitative Efferocytosis Assays

Efferocytosis, the phagocytic removal of apoptotic cells, is a dynamic process requiring recruitment of numerous regulatory proteins to mediate the uptake, engulfment, and degradation of apoptotic cells. Herein, we describe microscopy-based methods for the enumeration of efferocytic events and characterization of the spatiotemporal dynamics of signaling molecule recruitment during efferocytosis using genetically encoded probes and immunofluorescent labeling. While these methods are illustrated using macrophages, they are applicable to any efferocytic cell type.