Journal Article Review Epublish
PubMed: 39989743 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.19039
Unravelling approaches to study macrophages: from classical to novel biophysical methodologies.
PeerJ 13:e19039
Authors: Polina Vishnyakova, Andrey Elchaninov, Timur Fatkhudinov, Dmitry Kolesov
Affiliations
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V. I. Kulakov of Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia.
- A.P. Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", Moscow, Russia.
- Moscow Polytechnic University, Moscow, Russia.
Abstract
Macrophages play crucial roles in immune responses and tissue homeostasis. Despite the fact that macrophages were described more than a century ago, they continue to be the cells of intensive interest. Advanced understanding of phenotypic diversity in macrophages holds great promise for development of cell-based therapeutic strategies. The introduction of innovative approaches in cell biology greatly enhances our ability to investigate the unique characteristics of macrophages. The review considers both classical methods to study macrophages and high-tech approaches, including single-cell sequencing, single-cell mass spectrometry, droplet microfluidics, scanning probe microscopy and atomic force spectroscopy. This review will be valuable both to specialists beginning their study of macrophages and to experienced scientists seeking to deepen their understanding of methods at the intersection of biological and physical sciences.
MeSH
Cells, Macrophages