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New insights into muscularis macrophages in the gut: from their origin to therapeutic targeting

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Abstract

Muscularis macrophages, as the most abundant immune cells in the intestinal muscularis externa, exhibit tissue protective phenotype in the steady state. Owing to tremendous advances in technology, we now know the fact that muscularis macrophages are a heterogeneous population of cells which could be divided into different functional subsets depending on their anatomic niches. There is emerging evidence showing that these subsets, through molecular interactions with their neighbours, take part in a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological processes in the gut. In this review, we summarize recent progress (particularly over the past 4 years) on distribution, morphology, origin and functions of muscularis macrophages and, where possible, the characteristics of specific subsets in response to the microenvironment they occupy, with particular emphasis on their role in muscular inflammation. Furthermore, we also integrate their role in inflammation-related gastrointestinal disorders, such as post-operative ileus and diabetic gastroparesis, in order to propose future therapeutic strategies.

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Funding

This work was supported by grants from the Henan Province Foundation for University Key Youth Scholars (NO. 2017GGJS107), the Key Scientific and Technological Project of Henan Province (NO. 202102310348), the Teaching and Scientific Research Cultivation Project of Basic Medical College of Xinxiang Medical University (NO. JCYXYKY202018), and the Doctor Scientific Research Foundation of Xinxiang Medical University (NO. 300505276).

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  1. Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China

    Li Zhou, Hui Lian, Yue Yin, Yuan-sheng Zheng, Yu-xin Han, Gao-qi Liu & Zhi-yong Wang

  2. Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, China

    Li Zhou, Hui Lian & Zhi-yong Wang

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LZ drafted the manuscript. HL, YY, YZ, YH, and GL contributed to the literature review, figure, and table design. ZW made the final editing and revision. All authors critically revised, and provided the final approval for this manuscript.

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Zhou, L., Lian, H., Yin, Y. et al. New insights into muscularis macrophages in the gut: from their origin to therapeutic targeting. Immunol Res 71, 785–799 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-023-09397-x

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