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

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.