Phagocytes (neutrophils, monocyte/macrophages, and dendritic cells) are leukocytes characterized by their ability to ingest particles, such as bacteria and dead cells, playing an essential role in defence against pathogens during infection and clearance of damaged cells from the body’s tissues. These cells are tissue-resident (macrophages, dendritic cells) or can be recruited during physiological conditions or after tissue injury (neutrophils, monocytes), coordinating the inflammatory response and playing a pivotal role in the link between innate and adaptive immunity.

Phagocytes can exhibit heterogeneous phenotypes depending on the environment, which results in a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory state. Sustained pro-inflammatory milieu eventually becomes pathological, leading to persistent leukocyte recruitment and resulting in disease progression, tissue damage, and unsuccessful resolution. A defective phagocytic function may result in uncontrolled infection, accumulation of misfolded proteins and dead cells, and failure to mount a protective immunity. In this context, cellular mechanisms, including phagocytosis, apoptosis, and reprogramming, may be critical in the control of inflammation and return to homeostasis. Thus, understanding phagocytes’ actions during the inflammatory response may contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of infectious, chronic inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases, leading to the development of new therapeutic strategies.

We invite authors to submit their original research and review articles on experimental and clinical models to this Special Issue.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Regulation of phagocytes recruitment
• Mechanisms of phagocytes reprogramming/polarization
• Regulation of phagocytes apoptosis and survival
• Crosstalk between phagocytes and adaptive immunity
• Role of phagocytes in infectious diseases
• Role of phagocytes in chronic diseases
• Role of phagocytes in autoimmune diseases
• Mechanisms/modulation of engulfment: phagocytosis and efferocytosis