The Role of Macrophages in Skin Homeostasis

    February 2017 in “ Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology ”
    Diana A. Yanez, Richard K. Lacher, Aurobind Vidyarthi, Oscar R. Colegio
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    TLDR Macrophages are vital for skin healing, hair growth, salt balance, and cancer defense.
    The 2017 review highlighted the essential functions of macrophages and Langerhans cells in skin homeostasis, including their roles in wound healing, hair follicle regeneration, salt balance, and cancer defense. Macrophages are crucial throughout the wound healing process, with their absence leading to impaired repair. They also assist in hair follicle development, with depletion causing premature anagen entry. In salt regulation, macrophages infiltrate the skin in response to high salt diets to help maintain sodium balance and prevent hypertension. The review also noted the importance of macrophages in inflammation, autoimmunity, and skin cancer regression, particularly in limiting basal cell carcinoma growth in mice. The document underscores the necessity of further research using specific genetic models to better understand these cells' roles in the skin, which could lead to targeted therapies for various skin conditions and diseases.
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