A+T rich interaction domain protein 3a (Arid3a) impairs Mertk-mediated efferocytosis in cholestasis

•Myeloid-specific deletion of Arid3a alleviates cholestatic liver injury and reduces macrophage infiltration.•Arid3a deficiency induces a more reparative phenotype in macrophages, which is mediated by efferocytosis receptor Mertk.•Efferocytosis of apoptotic cholangiocytes is enhanced in Arid3a-deficient macrophages via upregulation of Mertk.•Arid3a+ and Mertk+ cells are located far from and near cholangiocytes, respectively, in PBC and PSC.