What's the deal with efferocytosis and asthma?

Mucosal sites, such as the lung, serve as crucial, yet vulnerable barriers to environmental insults such as pathogens, allergens, and toxins. Often, these exposures induce massive infiltration and death of short-lived immune cells in the lung, and efficient clearance of these cells is important for preventing hyperinflammation and resolving immunopathology. Herein, we review recent advances in our understanding of efferocytosis, a process whereby phagocytes clear dead cells in a noninflammatory manner. We further discuss how efferocytosis impacts the onset and severity of asthma in humans and mammalian animal models of disease. Finally, we explore how recently identified genetic perturbations or biological pathway modulations affect pathogenesis and shed light on novel therapies aimed at treating or preventing asthma.

Automated summary

Efferocytosis is a crucial process in clearing dead cells in a noninflammatory manner, essential for preventing hyperinflammation and resolving immunopathology. Studies have shown that efferocytosis impacts the onset and severity of asthma in humans and animal models of the disease. Therefore, identifying genetic perturbations or biological pathway modulations is important for understanding pathogenesis and developing novel therapies for asthma.