Increased apoptotic neutrophils and macrophages and impaired macrophage phagocytic clearance of apoptotic neutrophils in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

The observed increase of apoptotic PMNs and macrophages and the poor ability of macrophages from patients with SLE to phagocytose apoptotic bodies may indicate an impaired clearance mechanism, which may be mediated by factors in a patient's serum.