Camelia Bhattacharyya, Amity University Kolkata
Knowledge is a huge thing wrapped up in a single word. As the world is changing on a daily basis, so is the knowledge about a topic. There are still several questions to be answered and that’s exactly what brings scientists and researchers in the framework to search for unanswered questions in the quest of something unknown. The most searched ones are the natural systems like the immune system of organisms since very little is known, and a lot is yet to be studied. In this article, we will discuss something related to the defense mechanism of the body, the GATA6+ macrophages. These macrophages are known to be involved in phagocytic and repair mechanisms of the body but very little was known about their mechanism of identification and migration to the site of activity until very recently. Zindel and his team have made this knowledge possible.
We all know the mechanism of thrombosis, the mechanism followed but the GATA6+ when compared to thrombosis was found to be analogous to it. The GATA6+ cavity macrophages are present in abundance in the cavities of mammals (peritoneal, pleural, pericardial) and were known to work as phagocytes for several decades; but research has now claimed their role in wound-healing too within the cavity. The chemotaxis of these macrophages is respiration dependent and integrin, immunoglobulin, and selection independent. The adhesion of these macrophages after the transfer it to the wound is highly dependent on the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domains (SRCR domains). This process speeds up and works hand-in-hand with thrombosis. Since SCRC is highly related to adhesion, the study of its inhibition is also of utmost importance to understand and stop the formation of scars after any injury.
Since the mechanism of action of the GATA6+ macrophages is now known, a detailed study to initiate and to stop it should be carried out. More studies and redirecting the operations, therapies, and scars might work as a great jump of medical science from present techniques to futuristic approaches thus opening options in the hands of doctors to provide a better next life to a patient after any health hazard.
Also read:Fluid rheology: As you flow, so shall your importance grow!!!
Source:Zindel J, Peiseler M, HossainM, Deppermann C, Lee WY, Haenni B, Zuber B, Deniset JF, Surewaard BGJ, Candinas D, Kubes P. Primordial GATA6 macrophages function as extravascular platelets in sterile injury. Science 05 Mar 2021. 371:6533. doi:http://10.1126/science.abe0595
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