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Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
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Phagocytosis00:41

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Phagocytosis Assay for Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila Embryos
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Cell death by phagocytosis.

Guy C Brown1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. gcb3@cam.ac.uk.

Nature Reviews. Immunology
|August 21, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Phagoptosis, or cell death by phagocytosis, is a common and ancient biological process where cells are engulfed and die from internal cellular components. This fundamental mechanism plays crucial roles in development, immunity, and tissue homeostasis.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Cell death by phagocytosis, also known as phagoptosis, encompasses various phenomena like phagotrophy and cell cannibalism.
  • Historically overlooked since Metchnikov's discovery, phagoptosis is now recognized for its significant biological roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To consolidate the understanding of cell death by phagocytosis under the unified term 'phagoptosis'.
  • To highlight the widespread and critical importance of phagoptosis across various biological contexts.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical and recent scientific literature on cell engulfment and subsequent cell death.
  • Analysis of phagoptosis's role in developmental processes, immunity, and disease pathology.

Main Results:

  • Phagoptosis is mediated by cytotoxic elements within phagolysosomes, leading to the death of engulfed cells.
  • This process is fundamental to developmental cell death, innate and adaptive immunity against pathogens, and physiological cell turnover (e.g., erythrocytes).
  • Phagoptosis is implicated in cancer immunity, cancer cell survival, and neurodegenerative diseases via microglial engulfment of neurons.

Conclusions:

  • Phagoptosis is an ancient, highly prevalent, and critically important form of cell death, despite being historically underappreciated.
  • Its diverse roles span from normal physiological processes to the pathology of cancer and neurodegeneration.