Critical Clearance: Alveolar Macrophage Recognition of Apoptotic Cells

Apoptotic cell clearance is a vital process by which the body rids itself of unwanted cells, whether they become unwanted due to age, senescence, tissue remodeling and repair, or even damage. Efficient clearance of apoptotic cells depends upon the ability of the phagocyte to recognize and quickly engulf the effete cell before the apoptotic cells can progress to a state of secondary necrosis, spilling out phlogistic and possibly auto-immunogenic contents into the tissue. Removal of apoptotic cells in the lung by alveolar macrophages results in the maintenance of homeostasis, and alveolar macrophage recognition factors control process of clearance.