Role of Macrophages in Tissue Repair
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Tissues and Organs".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 5
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Macrophages are highly plastic immune cells that serve not only as first responders in tissue damage but also as central regulators of the entire repair process. Shaped by their local microenvironment, macrophages can adopt a wide spectrum of phenotypes—from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative states—each playing a distinct role at various stages of repair. Their functions include clearing cellular debris, removing apoptotic neutrophils, modulating inflammation, promoting angiogenesis, and activating resident stem and progenitor cells. However, disruptions in macrophage function or phenotype switching can impair tissue repair and contribute to chronic inflammation or fibrosis.
Recent advances in single-cell technologies, in vivo imaging, and genetic manipulation have deepened our understanding of macrophage heterogeneity and their dynamic interactions with other cell types across tissues. These insights are opening up new therapeutic avenues in modulating macrophage behavior to enhance regenerative outcomes.
This Special Issue will feature original research and comprehensive reviews that explore the multifaceted roles of macrophages in tissue repair across different organs and disease settings. By highlighting key mechanisms and emerging therapeutic strategies, we aim to advance both basic and translational knowledge in macrophage biology and regenerative medicine.
Dr. Guochang Hu
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- macrophages
- inflammation
- tissue repair
- phagocytosis
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