Over the past few years, there were growing evidences that clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytosis can result in powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. The defective clearance of apoptotic cells has been linked to autoimmunity and persistent inflammatory diseases. Apoptotic cells are cleared in vivo rapidly. Clearance of apoptotic cells or apoptotic bodies is histologically undetectable in normal situation by neighboring cells, or by macrophages and related scavengers. Defective clearance of apoptotic cells has been linked closely to autoimmune and persistent inflammatory diseases.