Cited by 1,178Immune cells in cancerPhagocytosis and Immune RegulationDevelopmental Biology and Gene Regulation

Trophic macrophages in development and disease

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Pollard, Jeffrey W.·2009·Nature Reviews Immunology

Abstract

Specialized phagocytes are found in the most primitive multicellular organisms. Their roles in homeostasis and in distinguishing self from non-self have evolved with the complexity of organisms and their immune systems. Equally important, but often overlooked, are the roles of macrophages in tissue development. As discussed in this Review, these include functions in branching morphogenesis, neuronal patterning, angiogenesis, bone morphogenesis and the generation of adipose tissue. In each case, macrophage depletion impairs the formation of the tissue and compromises its function. I argue that in several diseases, the unrestrained acquisition of these developmental macrophage functions exacerbates pathology. For example, macrophages enhance tumour progression and metastasis by affecting tumour-cell migration and invasion, as well as angiogenesis.

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  1. [24]Fortier AH Falk LA Isolation of murine macrophages Curr. Protoc Immunol 2001 Chapter 14 Unit 14 1 18432719

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Authors
Pollard, J. W.
Affiliations
Albert Einstein College of Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Pollard, Jeffrey W.
Venue
Nature Reviews Immunology
Published
2009-04
Volume
9
Issue
4
Pages
259-270
ISSN
  • 1474-1733 (ISSN-L)
  • 1474-1741
OpenAlex
W2105156168
Cited by
1,178
References
124
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 54 · 2022: 81 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 55 · 2018: 78 · 2017: 78 · 2016: 94 · 2015: 90 · 2014: 102 · 2013: 88 · 2012: 79
FWCI
5.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature reviews. Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • National Institutes of Health (5r29hd030820-05, CA100324)
  • National Cancer Institute (CA131270, R01CA131270, P01CA100324, CA 100324, CA P30-13, P30CA013330)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD30820, R01HD030280)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune cells in cancer
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Phagocytosis and Immune Regulation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
Keywords
tissue-resident macrophages, macrophage homeostasis, histogenesis, branching morphogenesis, neuronal patterning, angiogenesis, bone morphogenesis, adipose tissue development, macrophage depletion, tumor progression, metastasis, tumor angiogenesis, obesity, chronic disease, self versus non-self recognition
MeSH terms
Animals, Disease, Humans, Macrophages, Morphogenesis, Osteogenesis, Microglia, Neovascularization, Physiologic, Growth and Development, Adipogenesis

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