Myeloid Cell Immunology

Macrophages are present in all tissues and as innate immune cells are critical for phagocytosing pathogens, clearing dying cells and orchestrating inflammatory responses. Tissue resident macrophages (TRMs) are also vital for organ integrity, homeostasis and function, and display heterogeneity in terms of ontogeny, turnover and functional properties during homeostasis and inflammation.
Our group is interested in the development, regulation and function of mononuclear phagocytes in health and disease, with a focus on the central nervous system (CNS) and the maternal-fetal interface during development.
The CNS harbors several macrophage populations: microglia in the parenchyma and border-associated macrophages (BAMs), which reside in the meninges, choroid plexus and perivascular spaces. We are investigating the roles of BAMs and microglia in healthy conditions and assessing their functions in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, in development and adulthood. Our research also aims to better understand the ontogeny, profile and role of placental fetal macrophages in healthy and complicated pregnancies.