Clearance of apoptotic cells: Implications in health and disease

Michael R. Elliott, Kodi S. Ravichandran

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

426 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent advances in defining the molecular signaling pathways that regulate the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells have improved our understanding of this complex and evolutionarily conserved process. Studies in mice and humans suggest that the prompt removal of dying cells is crucial for immune tolerance and tissue homeostasis. Failed or defective clearance has emerged as an important contributing factor to a range of disease processes. This review addresses how specific molecular alterations of engulfment pathways are linked to pathogenic states. A better understanding of the apoptotic cell clearance process in healthy and diseased states could offer new therapeutic strategies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1059-1070
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Cell Biology
Volume189
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 28 2010

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