Mapping Ignorance: Marginal macrophages and LXR: living on the edge
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Our immune system comprises a great variety of cell types and each of these groups is specialized in separate and defined actions. Macrophages play an essential role within this defence system by enhancing the immune response. In particular, they are in charge of “swallowing” (technically speaking, fagocyting) waste products, foreign materials and microorganisms. In addition, macrophages secrete chemical compounds that predetermine the response of the rest of the components of the immune system.
Macrophages are ubiquitously distributed throughout the body but are quite heterogeneous regarding their different locations. These variances allow identifying different macrophage types (“races”, if we wish to make an analogy with humans). This diversity also reflects functional heterogeneity, which seems to be determined, partly, by the environment of the organ where they exert their roles.
