The neuronal-like behaviour of macrophages
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Di Giovanni, Simone
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Tissue-resident macrophages (TRMs) contribute to both organ physiology and pathology by communicating with the nervous system and tissue-resident cells. They have been increasingly reported to be extremely plastic and adaptable, as shown by their broad range of molecular signatures and functional roles well beyond their classical duties as phagocytes. It has recently been found that macrophages can reside in proximity to muscle spindles, which are sensory neurons sensing muscle length. Surprisingly muscle spindle macrophages express neuron-like gene expression signatures and support muscle contraction by releasing glutamate. This behaviour is more in keeping with neurons rather than immune cells. Here, the potential additional roles for muscle spindle macrophages in muscle contraction and locomotion at homeostasis and in disease states will be discussed. It will also be debated whether the use of neurotransmitters by myeloid cells as shared currency to optimise cell to cell communication, to favour neural circuit development, homeostasis and repair is an exception or could rather be the rule.
Date Issued
2025-05-01
Date Acceptance
2025-05-01
Citation
Trends in Cell Biology, 2025, 36 (5), pp.343-354
ISSN
0962-8924
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
343
End Page
354
Journal / Book Title
Trends in Cell Biology
Volume
36
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40335360
PII: S0962-8924(25)00091-1
Subjects
macrophages
microglia
muscle spindle
nervous system
neurons
neurotransmitter
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Date Publish Online
2025-05-06