In case of non-professional RPEs serving as phagocytes, Mertk is the key receptor for triggering ingestion.69 Non-professional and professional phagocytes have a major role in the pathogenesis of wet AMD.33, 70 In a recent study, we showed that MerTk has a key role in the regulation of TC-enhanced phagocytosis of RPE cells by non-professional and professional phagocytes.41 Here, we demonstrate that autophagy-associated dying RPE cells can be efficiently and increasingly engulfed by macrophages and DCs over time in vitro. The gene discussed is MERTK; the disease is wet macular degeneration.