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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Bone Marrow-derived Macrophage Production
Published on: November 22, 2013
Macrophage-mediated nutrient recycling: evolutionary insights into the metabolic role of professional phagocytes
Gabriela Krejčová1,2, Adam Bajgar1,2
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia.
Abstract:
Removal of senescent and damaged cells is fundamental for tissue homeostasis. While macrophage recognition and clearance of apoptotic cells are well characterized, the ultimate fate of the digested material remains poorly understood. Here, we explore current knowledge on the fate of engulfed material and examine how the metabolic nature of engulfed cargo shapes downstream signaling and phagocyte polarization. We also discuss emerging evidence that macrophages act as metabolic hubs, recycling and supplying nutrients to surrounding tissues. Drawing on studies in invertebrate phagocytes, we explore the evolutionary origins of this "nurturing" function and highlight its conservation in mammals, emphasizing its physiological relevance and potential contributions to metabolic disease.
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