Ochando, J., Kwan, W.-H., Ginhoux, F., Hutchinson, J. A., Hashimoto, D. and Collin, M. (2016), The Mononuclear Phagocyte System in Organ Transplantation. American Journal of Transplantation. doi: 10.1111/ajt.13627
Abstract:
The mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) comprises monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells
(DCs). Over the past few decades, classification of the cells of the MPS has generated considerable
controversy. Recent studies into the origin, developmental requirements and function of MPS cells
are beginning to solve this problem in an objective manner. Using high-resolution genetic analyses
and fate mapping studies, three main mononuclear phagocyte lineages have been defined, namely:
macrophage populations established during embryogenesis, monocyte-derived cells that develop
during adult life and DCs. These subsets and their diverse subsets have specialized functions that are
largely conserved between species, which justifies the introduction of a new, universal scheme of
nomenclature and provides the framework for therapeutic manipulation of the immune responses in
the clinic. Here, we comment on the implications of this novel MPS classification in solid organ
transplantation.