Impairment of phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and its role in chronic airway diseases

Phagocytosis of dying cells is a complex and dynamic process coordinated by the interaction of many surface molecules, adaptors, and chemotactic molecules, and it is controlled at multiple levels. This well regulated clearance process is of utmost importance for the development and homeostasis of organisms because defective or inefficient phagocytosis may contribute to human pathologies. In this review we discuss recent advances in the knowledge of the molecular interactions involved in recognition and clearance of apoptotic cells and how derangement of these processes can contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis and asthma. We will briefly consider how different types of macrophages are implicated in chronic airway diseases. Finally, we will address possible therapeutic strategies, such as the use of macrolide antibiotics and statins, for modulating apoptotic cell clearance.