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. 2022 Apr 15;149(8):dev199903.
doi: 10.1242/dev.199903. Epub 2022 May 3.

Non-traditional roles of immune cells in regeneration: an evolutionary perspective

Beryl N Arinda  1   2 , Yacoub A Innabi  1   2 , Juris A Grasis  1   3 , Néstor J Oviedo  1   3
Affiliations

Non-traditional roles of immune cells in regeneration: an evolutionary perspective

Beryl N Arinda et al. Development. .

Abstract

Immune cells are known to engage in pathogen defense. However, emerging research has revealed additional roles for immune cells, which are independent of their function in the immune response. Here, we underscore the ability of cells outside of the adaptive immune system to respond to recurring infections through the lens of evolution and cellular memory. With this in mind, we then discuss the bidirectional crosstalk between the immune cells and stem cells and present examples where these interactions regulate tissue repair and regeneration. We conclude by suggesting that comprehensive analyses of the immune system may enable biomedical applications in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

Keywords: Hemocytes; Homeostasis; Innate immunity; Macrophages; Regeneration; Stem cells; Trained immunity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Macrophages and macrophage-like cells exist in different forms, states and subpopulations in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Because of their heterogeneous nature and plasticity, macrophages have a wide range of functions, which might include unique roles specific to their environment. Macrophages in vertebrates originate from the yolk sac and fetal liver during fetal hematopoiesis or the bone marrow during adult hematopoiesis, whereas macrophage-like cells originate from the hematopoietic organs/tissues in invertebrates. Some known examples of macrophages in both vertebrates and invertebrates are shown. Created with BioRender.com.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Traditional and non-traditional roles of the immune system. The traditional role of the immune system is to provide defense against pathogens. Highlighted are some of the immune cells (macrophages), immune-associated molecules, and the various stem cells with which they interact in vertebrates (left) and invertebrates (right). Current interpretations of the immune system include non-immune functions and interactions with other cells (such as stem cells) to modulate physiological functions, such as tissue regeneration and repair. Created with BioRender.com.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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