In cell biology, the process in which apoptotic/dead cells are removed by white blood cells or other phagocytic cells is called efferocytosis. During this process, the cell, which is classified as a macrophage, “eats” the apoptotic cell, which then forms a large vesicle around the dead cell. Thus, an efferosome or phagosome is created. It is important for apoptotic cells to be removed by efferocytosis and macrophages, because these cells have the potential for their membrane to be breached and cause inner cellular debris to leak out. Efferocytosis helps prevent these exposures of toxic enzymes and other oxidants that can be harmful to surrounding tissue. However, if there are any signs of defective efferocytosis, which is the reduction or inhibition of the macrophage’s ability to digest and destroy apoptotic/foam cells, it can cause serious diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and atherosclerosis, which is the…show more content… There two types of macrophages that either can help or inhibit the rate of efferocytosis. M1 macrophages are “pro-inflammatory”, which increase inflammation and also inhibit the process of efferocytosis by stimulating the activation of Rho1, which inhibits this process. M2 macrophages are “pro-resolving”, which decrease inflammation, increase the rate of efferocytosis with Rac1, and decrease other immune reactions by releasing cytokines. Macrophages contain Gas-6/Mertk, which are bridge/scavenger receptor that help connect and find the “eat me” signals coming from the apoptotic cell. This signal then activates Rac1 inside the macrophage, which helps activate actin polymerization, which is the process of the macrophage’s movement towards the dead cell. Once ingested, the pathogen/dead cell is trapped inside a phagosome and fuses with a lysosome, which is then digested by enzymes and released as
