Researchers led by Li Hanjie from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have revealed the dynamics of human macrophage specification across 19 different tissues during early embryonic stages.

The study, recently published in the journal Cell, is expected to advance the fields of immunology and evolutionary biology.

Macrophages are pivotal immune cells that have long puzzled scientists due to their diversity and roles in human development.

In this study, Li’s team combined single-cell transcriptome sequencing, bioinformatic techniques, immunofluorescence, and in vitro functional assays to construct a high-resolution spatiotemporal dynamic map of human prenatal immune system development spanning 18 gestational stages and involving 19 different tissues.

The team focused on the most tissue-specific macrophages. They revealed the origins of differentiation, spatial localization, functional characteristics, and transcriptional regulation mechanisms of multiple macrophage subtypes during development.

“The study will provide valuable guidance for the development of related diseases, immunotherapy, and further investigations into evolutionary biology,” Li said.

Wang Zeshuai, the first author of the study, added that this comprehensive map of human macrophage diversity and developmental processes offers groundbreaking insights into the multifaceted roles of these immune cells and potential therapeutic interventions.