The key to macrophage identity across organs

Macrophages are essential immune cells found in nearly all tissues of the body. They remove waste, recycle key elements like iron, and contribute to the normal functioning of organs. While macrophages adapt to different organs, they also share a common identity to carry out these vital functions – through a mechanism that has only recently been identified.

The team led by Thomas Marichal (WEL Research Institute – ULiège) has demonstrated that the transcription factor MafB acts as a central genetic regulator of macrophage development and functional identity across tissues and species. In the absence of MafB in mice, macrophages remained immature and ineffective, affecting not only their immune functions but also the health of several organs, including the spleen, lungs, intestine, and kidneys.

These findings identify MafB as a central and conserved regulator of macrophage development, identity, and function, providing new insight on how the immune system protects the health of multiple organs.

Reference: Vanneste et al, MafB is a conserved transcriptional regulator of macrophage development and functional identity across tissues and species, Immunity (2026) doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2026.01.012