Susumin Yang

Abstract Cells constituting a multicellular organism die in a variety of ways throughout life, and most of them die via apoptosis under normal conditions. The occurrence of apoptosis is especially prevalent during development and in tissues with a high cellular turnover rate, such as the thymus and bone marrow. Interestingly, although the number of apoptotic cells produced daily is known to be innumerable in a healthy adult human body, apoptotic cells are rarely observed.

Abstract Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, called efferocytosis, requires calcium inside and outside of phagocytes. Due to its necessity, calcium flux is sophisticatedly modulated, and the level of intracellular calcium in phagocytes is ultimately elevated during efferocytosis. However, the role of elevated intracellular calcium in efferocytosis remains elusive.