Depleting Mfge8 inhibits efferocytosis, and Mfge8 deficiency in atherosclerosis models accelerates atherosclerosis and leads to the accumulation of apoptotic cells.38,39 However, the role of Itgb3 on atherosclerotic efferocytosis has been less well described, and a role for IRF5 in regulating Itgb3 has not previously been shown. This evidence concerns the gene MFGE8 and atherosclerosis.