Targeting efferocytosis for tissue regeneration: From microenvironment reprogramming to clinical translation

Efferocytosis, phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells (ACs), is an essential biological process that resolves inflammation and regulates tissue regeneration in various organ systems. Through removal of apoptotic cell debris, efferocytosis attenuates secondary necrosis and dampens the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). More importantly, it can reprogram phagocytes towards a pro-reparative phenotype via the secretion of anti-inflammatory mediators, metabolic rewiring, and the production of growth factors. There are four closely regulated stages in the entire process: "find-me" signal-mediated phagocyte recruitment, recognition of ACs via "eat-me" signals, AC internalization via Rho…