title: Transcriptional control of macrophage diversity and specialization.
abstract: The key driving force underlying cell identity is represented by the complex and dynamic interplay between cell-intrinsic, lineage-restricted developmental pathways on the one hand, and cell-extrinsic, tissue-specific microenvironmental signals on the other. In this context, macrophages are a paradigmatic cell population whose functional specialization in vivo reflects the impact of the local microenvironment on the intrinsic differentiation program, leading to a variety of specialized macrophage types in different tissues and conditions; however, how this is translated into a biological outcome is not appreciably understood. The kind of investigations described in this Viewpoint aim to explore the inner determinants of cell identity and functional diversification at a genomic level; mechanisms that permit plastic cell types, like macrophages, to adapt to different environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, IFOM-IEO Campus, Via Adamello, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ostuni
authors.forename: Gioacchino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Natoli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D019070:Cell Lineage; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000276:immunology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators