The role of fat-soluble vitamins in efferocytosis

Cell death and the efficient removal of dead cells are two basic mechanisms that maintain homeostasis in multicellular organisms. efferocytosis, which includes four steps recruitment, recognition, binding and signaling, and engulfment. Effectively and quickly removes apoptotic cells from the body. Any alteration in efferocytosis can lead to several diseases, including autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, atherosclerosis, and cancer. A wide range of dietary components affects apoptosis and, subsequently, efferocytosis. Some vitamins, including fat-soluble vitamins, affect different stages of efferocytosis. Among other things, by affecting macrophages, they are effective in the apoptotic cleansing of cells. Also, polyphenols indirectly intervene in efferocytosis through their effect on apoptosis. Considering that there are limited articles on the effect of nutrition on efferocytosis, in this article we will examine the effect of some dietary components on efferocytosis. Our study delves into a fundamental yet underexplored realm of cellular health: the impact of fat-soluble vitamins on efferocytosis, the process vital for eliminating diseased cells. Disturbances in this process underlie various diseases, from autoimmune disorders to atherosclerosis and cancer. Our research sheds light on how dietary factors, notably fat-soluble vitamins, influence different stages of efferocytosis. This exploration is crucial, offering insights into potential interventions that could modulate cell clearance mechanisms, thereby opening new avenues for therapeutic strategies. With a scarcity of literature addressing nutrition's role in efferocytosis, our work bridges this gap, presenting critical implications for future research and therapeutic advancements.