ABSTRACT
Phagoptosis is a kind of cell death mode which has been widely concerned in recent years. Previous studies have shown that the phagocytosis of viable neurons by microglia (phagoptosis) may be involved in the pathophysiological processes of various neurological diseases, including ischemic stroke. After cerebral ischemia, microglia chemotaxis towards ischemic brain tissue, and then recognize and engulf the stressed neurons, leading to further damage or even death of neurons, thereby exacerbating cerebral ischemic injury. This article reviews the relationship between phagoptosis and cerebral ischemia, with a focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of phagoptosis after cerebral ischemia, in order to provide new targets and strategies for the treatment of cerebral ischemia.