EPO and systemic lupus erythematosus: In 1980s, studies had shown that the defect phagocytic function of macrophages would lead to abnormal accumulation of apoptotic debris, considered to be SLE macrophages in vivo abnormalities.58 Our previous study has shown that EPO promotes macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.22 In line with this, here we found that the EPO‐derived ARA290 peptide also elevated the phagocytotic activity of macrophage to apoptotic cells in vitro.