Efferocytosis in Homeostasis

Apoptotic cells are removed by professional and nonprofessional phagocytes via the process of "efferocytosis." Efferocytosis is highly efficient such that accumulation of dead cells is rarely seen in healthy tissues, even though our bodies remove 200-400 billion apoptotic cells daily. Besides clearing apoptotic cells, efferocytosis also has many beneficial roles, including secretion of anti-inflammatory mediators and promotion of local tissue repair. Thus, impairments in efferocytosis interfere with normal function in tissues. In this review, we will focus on how efferocytosis supports the return to homeostasis following inflammation and injury. Further, we highlight maladaptive responses when efferocytosis is disrupted, contributing to autoimmunity and fibrosis.