Biscu Francesca, Zouzaf Anissa, Cicia Donatella, Pridans Clare, Matteoli Gianluca
Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism, and Ageing (CHROMETA), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Eur J Immunol. 2024 Dec;54(12):e2451139. doi: 10.1002/eji.202451139. Epub 2024 Sep 23.
Macrophages are instrumental in maintaining tissue homeostasis, modulating inflammation, and driving regeneration. The advent of omics techniques has led to the identification of numerous tissue-specific macrophage subtypes, thereby introducing the concept of the "macrophage niche". This paradigm underscores the ability of macrophages to adapt their functions based on environmental cues, such as tissue-specific signals. This adaptability is closely linked to their metabolic states, which are crucial for their function and role in health and disease. Macrophage metabolism is central to their ability to switch between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory states. In this regard, environmental factors, including the extracellular matrix, cellular interactions, and microbial metabolites, profoundly influence macrophage behavior. Moreover, diet and gut microbiota significantly impact macrophage function, with nutrients and microbial metabolites influencing their activity and contributing to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. Targeting specific macrophage functions and their metabolic processes is leading to the development of novel treatments for a range of chronic inflammatory conditions. The exploration of macrophage biology enriches our understanding of immune regulation and holds the promise of innovative approaches to managing diseases marked by inflammation and immune dysfunction, offering a frontier for scientific and clinical advancement.
巨噬细胞在维持组织稳态、调节炎症和促进再生方面发挥着重要作用。组学技术的出现导致了众多组织特异性巨噬细胞亚型的鉴定，从而引入了“巨噬细胞生态位”的概念。这一范式强调了巨噬细胞根据环境线索（如组织特异性信号）调整其功能的能力。这种适应性与它们的代谢状态密切相关，而代谢状态对它们在健康和疾病中的功能及作用至关重要。巨噬细胞代谢是其在促炎和抗炎状态之间转换能力的核心。在这方面，包括细胞外基质、细胞间相互作用和微生物代谢产物在内的环境因素，会深刻影响巨噬细胞的行为。此外，饮食和肠道微生物群对巨噬细胞功能有显著影响，营养物质和微生物代谢产物会影响它们的活性，并导致诸如炎症性肠病等病症。针对特定的巨噬细胞功能及其代谢过程正在促成一系列慢性炎症性疾病新疗法的开发。对巨噬细胞生物学的探索丰富了我们对免疫调节的理解，并有望为管理以炎症和免疫功能障碍为特征的疾病提供创新方法，为科学和临床进步开辟了一个前沿领域。
