When an interstitial macrophage niche is empty, classical monocytes can proliferate locally in a manner that is restricted by the transcription factor MAFB, before undergoing differentiation into distinct macrophage subsets. These findings reveal a new function of monocytes and highlight the complex regulation of proliferation and differentiation during macrophage development.
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This is a summary of: Vanneste, D. et al. MafB-restricted local monocyte proliferation precedes lung interstitial macrophage differentiation. Nat. Immunol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01468-3 (2023).
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Monocytes can proliferate in vacant niches before differentiation into macrophages. Nat Immunol 24, 749–750 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01480-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01480-7
