Phospholipid-mediated Phagocytic Elimination of Apoptotic Cells

Abstract

Throughout the life of multi-cellular organisms, cells unnecessary or harmful to our body emerge. Such 'unwanted' cells need to be promptly and selectively removed for tissue homeostasis to be maintained. These cells are mostly induced to undergo physiologic cell death, i.e. apoptosis, and become susceptible to phagocytosis. Membrane phospholipids play important roles in the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, serving as an earmark for apoptotic cells and a regulator of a signaling pathway for phagocytosis. In this article, we will describe the mechanisms and consequences of the phospholipidmediated phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.