Fig. 7. Schematic figure summarizing how WDFY3 regulates macrophage efferocytosis.

WDFY3 is discovered as a new regulator of efferocytosis by macrophages. WDFY3 deficiency in macrophages specifically impaired uptake, not binding, of apoptotic cells due to defective actin depolymerization, thus phagosome formation. WDFY3 directly interacts with GABARAP, one of the seven members of the LC3/GABARAP protein family, to facilitate LC3 lipidation and the subsequent phagosome-lysosome fusion and degradation of the engulfed AC components.