Border-associated macrophages in the central nervous system.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Cellular Biology
• Neuroscience

Background:

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

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in understanding BAMs.
• To explore BAM origins, self-renewal, and adaptability.
• To discuss BAM involvement in CNS diseases and therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on BAMs.
• Analysis of multi-omics and genetic studies.
• Synthesis of findings on BAMs in homeostasis and disease.

Main Results:

• BAMs exhibit diverse origins and self-renewal capacities, differing from microglia.
• BAMs play significant roles in regulating neuroimmune responses at brain barriers.
• BAMs are implicated in various neuropathologies, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, stroke, and gliomas.

Conclusions:

• Understanding BAM heterogeneity and function is key to neuroimmune regulation.
• BAMs represent promising therapeutic targets for CNS disorders.
• Further research into BAMs can advance precision medicine for brain diseases.