We identified an abundant macrophage population with a distinct transcriptomic signature in the murine mammary gland and milk during lactation. These macrophages are monocyte-derived, depend on colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) and reside adjacent to alveoli. Human milk also contains macrophages comprising three subsets with a partial resemblance to the murine counterparts.
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This is a summary of: Cansever, D. et al. Lactation-associated macrophages exist in murine mammary tissue and human milk. Nat. Immunol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01530-0 (2023).
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Defining macrophages in the lactating murine mammary gland and human milk. Nat Immunol 24, 1060–1061 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01531-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01531-z