Macrophages are vital in the immune system for fighting infections and aiding in tissue repair. Understanding how these cells are activated is crucial for developing new medical treatments. However, studying macrophage activation has been challenging due to their complexity and diverse responses.
A protein called colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) has been identified as a reliable marker for monocytes, dendritic cells in blood, and macrophages in tissues, enabling clear identification and separation of different cell types. This method is effective across all age groups and genders.
Dr. Fernando Martinez Estrada, Senior Lecturer in Innate Immunology at the University of Surrey, led the research project and stated:
“Utilizing CSF1R, we have created a method to identify all types of Mononuclear phagocyte system cells in the body. This marker is highly valuable for studying these cells in both healthy and diseased conditions, opening up new possibilities for diagnosing and monitoring various illnesses using a single cell marker.”
The study introduced tools to observe how immune cells respond when activated, focusing on bodily signals like IL-4 (healing and fibrosis), steroids (deactivation), IFNγ (anti-infectious), and LPS (causing inflammation).
The research team also introduced the concept of Macrophage Activation Mosaicism, suggesting that macrophages can exhibit a blend of activation characteristics instead of only transitioning between two previously known states, reflecting the complexity of real tissue environments.
Dr. Federica Orsenigo, study co-author, further elaborated:
“The discovery of mixed activation in macrophages reshapes our understanding of their role in diseases. Recognizing this variety can aid in developing more precise and efficient treatments.”
Co-author Emeritus Professor Siamon Gordon from the University of Oxford added:
“Therapies aiming to re-educate macrophages are in high demand. The availability of a reliable multi-gene tool for studying macrophage activation can facilitate drug screening, identify agents that reverse activation, and improve patient profiling for personalized medicine.”
