Phosphatidylserine receptors: what is the new RAGE?

the recognition of apoptotic cells by phagocytes is a complex, yet highly orchestrated event. Many receptors have been identified that recognize phosphatidylserine (pS; Fig 1)—which is exposed on early apoptotic cells—leading to downstream signalling and apoptotic cell engulfment. in this issue of EMBo reports, the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (ragE) is described as a new pS receptor on alveolar macrophages that participates in the clearance of apoptotic cells (He et al, 2011).