The Mighty Macrophage — In the April 2013 issue of Nature, Dr. Jeffrey Pollard published a scientific review on the role of macrophages in development, homeostasis (the maintenance of balance within a system), and disease, which was featured on the cover as their “Cell for All Seasons.” Macrophages are immune cells that have primarily been thought to be controllers of infection; by engulfing invading microbes and orchestrating immune responses. Dr. Pollard’s review focuses on emerging evidence – from his lab and others – that, in addition to their immune functions, these cells play important roles in development and homeostasis. Furthermore, most of these cells do not arise from bone marrow, where other immune cells typically do, but rather from yolk-sac progenitors during embryo development. This new information about these important cells could facilitate development of therapeutic interventions to treat obesity, cancer, and degenerative diseases. Dr. Pollard is professor of developmental and molecular biology and of obstetrics & gynecology and women’s health. He is also director of the Center for Study of Reproductive Biology and Women’s Health; and the Louis Goldstein Swan Chair in Women’s Cancer Research.
Posted on: Wednesday, July 17, 2013