[The role of macrophage efferocytosis in non-infectious inflammatory diseases].

Macrophages play a critical role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and regulating inflammation through the efficient clearance of apoptotic cells, a process known as efferocytosis. Defective macrophage efferocytosis has been identified as a significant mechanism underlying persistent inflammation and tissue damage in various non-infectious inflammatory diseases (NIID), including atherosclerosis (AS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), etc. Impaired efferocytosis not only leads to the accumulation of apoptotic cells and secondary necrosis, triggering the release of inflammatory signals, but also disrupts immune tolerance and tissue repair processes. Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of efferocytosis, encompassing apoptotic cell recognition, receptor regulation, and anti-inflammatory responses, have revealed novel therapeutic opportunities. This review summarizes the mechanistic roles of macrophage efferocytosis in NIID, discusses its potential as both a therapeutic target and a biomarker, and outlines future directions in molecular mechanisms, tissue-specific immunoregulation, and clinical translation.