Apoptosis happens continuously for millions of cells along with the active removal of
apoptotic debris in order to maintain tissue homeostasis. In this respect, efferocytosis,
i.e., the process of dead cell clearance, is orchestrated through cell exposure of a set of
“find me,” “eat me,” and “tolerate me” signals facilitating the engulfment of dying cells
through phagocytosis by macrophages and dendritic cells. The clearance of dead cells
via phagocytes is of utmost importance to maintain the immune system tolerance to
self-antigens. Accordingly, this biological activity prevents the release of autoantigens by
dead cells, thus potentially suppressing the undesirable autoreactivity of immune cells
and the appearance of inflammatory autoimmune disorders as systemic lupus erythematous
and rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study, the apoptosis pathways and their
immune regulation were reviewed. Moreover, efferocytosis process and its impairment in
association with some autoimmune diseases were discussed.
Keywords: apoptosis, efferocytosis, autoimmune disease, phagocytosis, systemic lupus erythematou