A new review published in the journal Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology on May 20, 2026, highlights the critical role of efferocytosis—the process by which dead cells are cleared from the body—in promoting efficient wound repair and maintaining tissue homeostasis. The review, led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, synthesizes current understanding of how this process influences inflammation and tissue regeneration.
Efferocytosis is performed by specialized immune cells, such as macrophages, which recognize and engulf dying cells. The review notes that impaired efferocytosis is linked to chronic wounds, including diabetic ulcers, and inflammatory diseases. The authors emphasize that enhancing this process could lead to new therapeutic strategies for wound healing.
Key findings include the identification of specific molecular pathways, such as the phosphatidylserine recognition system, that govern efferocytosis. The review also discusses how efferocytosis triggers anti-inflammatory signals, preventing excessive tissue damage and promoting repair. The researchers call for further studies to translate these insights into clinical treatments.
