title: Programmed cell clearance: molecular regulation of the elimination of apoptotic cell corpses and its role in the resolution of inflammation.
abstract: Programmed cell clearance is a physiological process of elimination of apoptotic cell corpses. Recent studies have disclosed several ligand-receptor interactions that dictate the recognition or non-recognition of cells by macrophages and other phagocytes. The externalization of the anionic phospholipid, phosphatidylserine is effectively recognized by specific receptors on professional phagocytes and facilitates the clearance of apoptotic cells. Macrophage disposal of cells at sites of inflammation is believed to play an important role in the resolution of the inflammatory process, and recent studies have suggested a role for the NADPH oxidase in the process of macrophage elimination of activated neutrophils. The present review will focus on the molecular regulation of programmed cell clearance, and discuss the role of cell elimination in the resolution of inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. bengt.fadeel@ki.se
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fadeel
authors.forename: Ding
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Valerian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kagan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002308:Cardiolipins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology*; D010587:Phagocytosis
chemical_list: D002308:Cardiolipins