Keeping it together: How calcium signals help cells bury their dead neighbors

Dying cells are typically expelled from epithelial sheets to prevent foreign substances and microorganisms from entering, but the mechanism underlying this process is unclear. A recent study has revealed a calcium-mediated mechanism essential for surrounding cells to expel an adjacent dying cell. Their findings clarify various aspects of this intricate process, which could enhance our understanding of epithelial pathologies such as atopic dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease.