Trophic macrophages in development and disease

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Abstract
Cells of the mononuclear phagocytic lineage differentiate into many different types of macrophage with a wide range of activities. These include specialized types of macrophage, such as Kupffer cells in the liver, microglial cells in the brain, dendritic cells and the highly specialized bone osteoclasts. Macrophages have many functions, including roles in immunity, apoptotic-cell clearance, wound healing and, as discussed in this Review, development. Analysis of macrophage-deficient mice has revealed many functions for these cells in development, and their loss perturbs the morphology and physiology of many tissues, such as the brain, mammary glands and bones. Macrophages promote epithelial-cell outgrowth and branching morphogenesis in several tissues, including the pancreas and the mammary glands. Macrophages regulate angiogenesis during development, wound repair and disease. Macrophages have a role in adipogenesis and obesity. Macrophages are strongly involved in many chronic diseases that are associated with ageing and provide trophic factors that are similar to those used during development; this has the effect of increasing disease pathology. Cancers sequester the developmental roles of macrophages to enhance their growth, invasive capacity, intravasation, progression and metastatic capacity.