Macrophage plasticity in homeostasis and diseases

Abstract

Macrophages are historically well appreciated for their functions in host defense and phagocytosis, and they are among the most multifunctional and heterogeneous cell types present in virtually every tissue. Macrophages perform many tissue-specific functions that are essential for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, and abnormalities in macrophage functions have been linked to various pathologies, including histiocytic syndromes. In this talk, I shall discuss macrophage biology from homeostatic and disease perspectives.