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Updated: May 2, 2026
Bone Marrow-derived Macrophage Production
Published on: November 22, 2013
Expanding the functional repertoire of macrophages as remote healers
Camille Blériot1,2, Florent Ginhoux3,4,5
1Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, CNRS UMR9018 Biologie du cancer et métabolisme, F-94805, Villejuif, France.
Abstract:
The immune response is essential for maintaining host integrity, and phagocytosis is widely considered as one of its most ancient cellular functions. Accordingly, professional phagocytes such as resident tissue macrophages (RTMs) populate virtually all organs and serve as primary sentinels capable of sensing, engulfing, and eliminating invading pathogens. Yet, reflecting their early evolutionary emergence, RTMs have acquired functions that extend far beyond phagocytosis. In this issue, Salm et al. extend the macrophage toolbox, showing that macrophages residing in the peritoneal cavity function as remote healers. Using various mouse models, they demonstrated that activated peritoneal macrophages accelerate distant skin wound healing through fibronectin secretion, thereby shaping tissue repair at sites beyond their anatomical location. These findings invite us to reconsider macrophages not only as phagocytes and mediators of inflammation but also as active regulators capable of shaping extracellular architecture at a distance.
Insights
Resident tissue macrophages (RTMs) are ancient immune cells. New research shows these macrophages can remotely heal skin wounds by secreting fibronectin, highlighting their role beyond pathogen defense.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Cell Biology
- Tissue Repair and Regeneration
Background:
- Resident tissue macrophages (RTMs) are critical immune sentinels involved in host defense via phagocytosis.
- RTMs possess diverse functions beyond their ancient role in engulfing pathogens, reflecting their evolutionary adaptability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate novel functions of peritoneal macrophages in tissue repair processes.
- To determine if macrophages can influence healing at distant anatomical sites.
Main Methods:
- Utilized various mouse models to study macrophage activity.
- Analyzed the role of peritoneal macrophages in skin wound healing.
- Investigated fibronectin secretion as a mechanism of action.
Main Results:
- Activated peritoneal macrophages were shown to accelerate distant skin wound healing.
- This remote healing effect was mediated by the secretion of fibronectin.
- Macrophages actively shape tissue repair beyond their immediate microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- Peritoneal macrophages act as 'remote healers,' contributing to tissue repair at a distance.
- Macrophages are not only phagocytes and inflammatory mediators but also regulators of extracellular architecture.
- These findings expand the understanding of macrophage functions in host integrity and tissue regeneration.
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