Border-associated macrophages in the central nervous system.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Cell Biology
• Central Nervous System (CNS) Research

Background:

• Tissue-resident macrophages maintain homeostasis and immune surveillance.
• Central nervous system (CNS) macrophages include microglia and border-associated macrophages (BAMs).
• Microglia are well-studied, while BAMs in meningeal, perivascular, and choroid plexus spaces are gaining attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in understanding BAMs.
• To explore BAMs' origins, self-renewal, and adaptability.
• To discuss BAMs' implications in various CNS disorders.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent multi-omics and genetic studies on BAMs.
• Analysis of BAMs' ontogeny and immunophenotypes.
• Examination of BAMs' roles in neuroinflammation and neuropathology.

Main Results:

• BAMs exhibit mixed origins and distinct self-renewal capacities compared to microglia.
• BAMs are implicated in regulating neuroimmune responses at brain barriers.
• BAMs play roles in diverse CNS pathologies like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, stroke, and gliomas.

Conclusions:

• Understanding BAM heterogeneity and function is key for precision medicine in the CNS.
• BAMs represent promising therapeutic targets for neurological diseases.
• Further research into BAMs' unique properties will advance neuroimmunology.