Macrophage and Microglia

Macrophages and microglia are specialized myeloid immune cells that serve as the primary phagocytes and modulators of the innate immune system in peripheral tissues and the central nervous system, respectively (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2017). They play critical roles in tissue homeostasis, debris clearance, and the orchestration of inflammatory responses through the secretion of cytokines and chemokines (Journal of Neuroinflammation, 2018). In pathological contexts, such as cancer, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) often promote tumor growth and immunosuppression, while dysfunctional microglia are central to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's (Science, 2019). Therapeutic interventions targeting these cells typically involve modulating specific surface receptors, such as CSF1R or CD47, to either deplete harmful cell subsets or shift their polarization from a pro-disease to a pro-resolving phenotype (Cell, 2020). However, because these cells are essential for normal physiological functions, therapeutic targeting carries risks of systemic immunosuppression and impaired tissue repair (Frontiers in Immunology, 2021).

Other names

Monocyte-derived macrophageTissue-resident macrophageCNS macrophageBrain macrophageMyeloid cellTumor-associated macrophage (TAM)

Therapeutic strategies targeting macrophages and microglia include the depletion of specific cell populations via CSF1R inhibition, the enhancement of phagocytic activity through CD47/SIRPα blockade, and the modulation of cell polarization from pro-inflammatory (M1) to anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes using various small molecules and antibodies (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2019).