The Clearance Phase of Inflammation

Once extravasated inflammatory cells have completed their defence tasks for the host, and inciting agents, e.g. bacteria, have been removed, the site must then be cleared of fluid, proteins, antibodies and debris. Finally, the key cellular players of inflammation - granulocytes and inflammatory macrophages - must be removed before the tissues can return to normality. 

Tight control, and ultimately cessation of neutrophil secretion of granule enzymes is likely to be important in 

Most fluid is probably removed via the lymphatic vessels, although reconstitution of normal haemodynamics may contribute by restoring the balance of hydrostatic and 

Over the ensuing decades there have been a number of sporadic reports, in both health and disease, of macrophage phagocytosis of neutrophils, and of particular relevance to the resolution of inflammation is the clinical 

This is an appropriate point at which to consider what is known of the processes of apoptosis and necrosis in other cellular systems, how this terminology evolved, and the possible relevance of these alternative neutrophil fetes for our understanding of the control of inflammation. 

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