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Nature Reviews Immunology 2, 965–975 (1 December 2002) | doi:10.1038/nri957

A blast from the past: clearance of apoptotic cells regulates immune responses

John Savill , Ian Dransfield , Chris Gregory & Chris Haslett

Apoptosis, which is a programmed and physiological form of cell death, is known to shape the immune system by regulating populations of effector lymphocytes. However, the binding and ingestion of dying cells by monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells can also influence immune responses markedly by enhancing or suppressing inflammation. Therefore, dead cells, which are a reflection of an organism's immediate past, can control its immunological future.