Macrophage Efferocytosis in Heart

Efficient clearance of dying cells by efferocytosis is critical for organ development, inflammation resolution, and tissue repair. In the heart, the stakes of efficient clearance are high in that inefficient efferocytosis promotes an inflammatory environment that stresses the health of surrounding nonregenerative cardiomyocytes. Herein, we discuss the fundamental protagonists and therapeutic implications of efferocytosis within the myocardium during cardiac development, myocardial regeneration, and myocardial infarction.