The role of efferocytosis-fueled macrophage metabolism in the resolution of inflammation

The phagocytosis of dying cells by macrophages, termed efferocytosis, is a tightly regulated process that involves the sensing, binding, engulfment, and digestion of apoptotic cells. Efferocytosis not only prevents tissue necrosis and inflammation caused by secondary necrosis of dying cells, but it also promotes pro-resolving signaling in macrophages, which is essential for tissue resolution and repair following injury or inflammation. An important factor that contributes to this pro-resolving reprogramming is the cargo that is released from apoptotic cells after their engulfment and phagolysosomal digestion by macrophages. The apoptotic cell cargo contains amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids, and cholesterol that function as metabolites and signaling molecules to bring about this re-programming. Here, we review efferocytosis-induced changes in macrophage metabolism that mediate the pro-resolving functions of macrophages. We also discuss various strategies, challenges, and future perspectives related to drugging efferocytosis-fueled macrophage metabolism as strategy to dampen inflammation and promote resolution in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Automated summary

The process of macrophages engulfing dying cells, known as efferocytosis, is tightly regulated and involves sensing, binding, engulfment, and digestion of apoptotic cells. Efferocytosis not only prevents tissue necrosis and inflammation caused by secondary necrosis of dying cells, but also promotes pro-resolving signaling in macrophages, which is essential for tissue resolution and repair following injury or inflammation. The cargo released from apoptotic cells after their engulfment and digestion by macrophages, containing amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, plays a crucial role in this pro-resolving reprogramming.