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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Studying Macrophage-Epithelial Cell Interactions in Salivary Gland Regeneration After Injury
Published on: November 17, 2023
The spatial and temporal activation of macrophages during fibrosis
Jacques Behmoaras1,2, Kevin Mulder3, Florent Ginhoux3,4,5
1Programme in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. jacquesb@duke-nus.edu.sg.
Abstract:
Macrophages are active participants of tissue repair and when normal repair processes fail, fibrosis can ensue, which leads to major organ dysfunction and affects nearly a billion people worldwide. Here we focus on macrophages in the spatiotemporal control of fibrosis, drawing on our understanding of the roles of these cells in organogenesis, adult organ homeostasis and wound repair. We describe recent insights from single-cell transcriptomics studies of human and mouse tissues that reveal macrophage heterogeneity in healthy and fibrotic niches, as well as the pathways underlying macrophage-fibroblast cooperation during progression from inflammation to fibrosis. Finally, we propose a model to explain how macrophage activity over time and across different tissues controls tissue fibrosis, we discuss therapeutic initiatives based on regulation of macrophage activity and we recommend future research directions.
Insights
Macrophages play a key role in tissue repair and fibrosis. Understanding their activity over time and across tissues offers new therapeutic strategies for fibrosis, a condition affecting nearly a billion people.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Macrophages are crucial for tissue repair.
- Failure in repair processes can lead to fibrosis, causing organ dysfunction.
- Fibrosis affects nearly a billion people globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of macrophages in the spatiotemporal control of fibrosis.
- To understand macrophage heterogeneity in healthy and fibrotic tissues.
- To explore macrophage-fibroblast interactions in fibrosis progression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of single-cell transcriptomics data from human and mouse tissues.
- Examination of macrophage roles in organogenesis, homeostasis, and wound repair.
- Development of a model for macrophage activity in tissue fibrosis.
Main Results:
- Single-cell transcriptomics reveals macrophage heterogeneity in different tissue niches.
- Identified pathways underlying macrophage-fibroblast cooperation in fibrosis.
- Proposed a model detailing macrophage influence on fibrosis progression.
Conclusions:
- Macrophage activity, influenced by time and tissue context, is central to controlling fibrosis.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting macrophage regulation show promise for treating fibrosis.
- Further research is recommended to explore macrophage-driven fibrosis mechanisms.
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